The lush grass courts of Queen’s Club have witnessed a seismic shift in British women’s tennis, as Emma Raducanu surged back to the pinnacle of the national rankings, overtaking Katie Boulter to become British No. 1 for the first time since June 2023. The 22-year-old’s commanding performance at the HSBC Championships, a WTA 500 event marking the return of women’s tennis to Queen’s after 52 years, has not only restored her status but also positioned her tantalizingly close to a Wimbledon seeding. Boulter’s unexpected second-round exit to Russia’s Diana Shnaider on June 12, 2025, paved the way for Raducanu’s ascent, igniting a renewed rivalry that promises to captivate fans as the grass-court season unfolds.
Raducanu’s journey at Queen’s has been a masterclass in resilience and flair. Kicking off her singles campaign with a 6-1, 6-2 demolition of Spain’s Cristina Bucșa in just over an hour, she showcased crisp serving and sharp movement, shrugging off a lingering back spasm that had disrupted her preparations. “I was quite locked in today,” Raducanu said, reflecting on her focus against Bucșa’s tricky slices. “I’m very pleased with my performance. I play my best when my personality is put on the court and I can express myself.” Her second-round clash against Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova was equally impressive, a 6-4, 6-1 victory that sealed her quarter-final berth and confirmed her as Britain’s top woman. “I’m really pleased to get through that,” she admitted post-match. “I don’t think it was my cleanest performance, but I’m happy to push through in the tight moments.”
The Queen’s crowd, chanting “Emma, we love you!” and erupting in roars, has embraced Raducanu as their own, a warmth she reciprocated by signing a camera lens with “home turf” and a smiley face. Her comfort on the London grass, honed alongside Boulter in a doubles partnership dubbed “Boultercanu,” has been palpable. Their 6-4, 6-2 doubles win over China’s Xinyu Jiang and Taiwan’s Fang-Hsien Wu on June 9 marked their first competitive outing together, though they fell 6-2, 7-5 to top seeds Lyudmyla Kichenok and Erin Routliffe two days later. “Katie made me feel really comfortable out there,” Raducanu said, hinting at future collaborations. “I’d really like to play with Katie again.”
Boulter, who held the British No. 1 mantle since usurping Raducanu two years ago, fought valiantly but faltered against Shnaider, losing 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. Her first-round win over Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic (7-6, 1-6, 6-4) showed grit, but serve struggles and a rain delay derailed her against the fifth seed. “I absolutely loved my time here,” Boulter said, masking disappointment. “As a British player, I always take these losses a lot harder.” With 250 points dropping from her 2024 Nottingham Open title, Boulter’s live ranking slipped to No. 39 with 1,326 points, while Raducanu, defending only 98 Nottingham points, climbed to No. 36 with 1,399 points, securing the top spot.
The stakes at Queen’s were high, with both players vying not only for national bragging rights but also for a top-32 Wimbledon seeding. Raducanu’s quarter-final clash with top seed Qinwen Zheng looms as a chance to widen the gap, potentially pushing her into the top 25 with a title run. Boulter, gracious in defeat, embraced the challenge of chasing her rival. “It’s going to be fun for me to chase her now,” she said. “I’m very happy for her to be British number one.” Their friendly rivalry, underscored by Raducanu’s “long live Boultucanu” camera message, adds a layer of camaraderie to their competition.
Raducanu’s resurgence follows a turbulent 12 months, marred by a stalking ordeal in Dubai and injury setbacks. “I’m obviously wary when I go out,” she shared, but noted improved security measures at tournaments, including Wimbledon, where she feels “very well protected.” With her ranking now at a two-year high, and her game trending upward, Raducanu is poised to make waves at SW19, where she’s reached the second week twice. As she navigates the pressures of home expectations and a newfound No. 1 status, her Queen’s campaign signals a return to the form that made her a global star.
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