On June 9, 2025, the iconic Queen’s Club in West London buzzed with excitement as British tennis stars Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu teamed up for their first-ever doubles match at the inaugural WTA 500 women’s tournament, the first of its kind at the venue since 1973. The dynamic duo, affectionately dubbed “Boultercanu” by fans, delivered a commanding 6-4, 6-2 victory over Chinese-Taiwanese pair Wu Fang-hsien and Jiang Xinyu, marking a triumphant start to their grass-court season. The match, played on the intimate Court One, showcased their infectious chemistry and set the stage for a thrilling week. In the post-match press conference, Boulter’s playful dismissal of Raducanu’s cautious outlook—“Scrap what she said, we’re going for the Wimbledon title!”—captured their shared ambition and camaraderie, igniting hopes for a deep run at both Queen’s and beyond.
The atmosphere at Queen’s was electric, with a packed 1,000-seat Court One filled with fans chanting “Emma, we love you!” and cheering every point. Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, admitted to pre-match jitters, given her limited doubles experience—her only prior professional doubles outing was in 2022 alongside Clara Tauson at the Washington Open. “I was actually very nervous before the match,” she confessed. “Probably more nervous than the singles, because I just didn’t really necessarily know what to do.” Yet, Boulter’s steady presence and doubles expertise, honed through her role in Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup team, put Raducanu at ease. “Katie made me feel so comfortable, and I’m just so pleased to get a win on the board,” Raducanu added, her smile reflecting the joy of their shared triumph.
Boulter, Britain’s No. 1 since June 2023, brought her powerful baseline game to the court, complementing Raducanu’s sharp instincts at the net. The pair’s synergy was evident from the outset, as they secured an early break and maintained high energy despite a brief fightback from Wu and Jiang in the first set. High-fives, fist-pumps, and laughter punctuated their play, even through occasional miscommunications. Raducanu’s clean groundstrokes and newfound confidence on grass shone through, while Boulter’s booming serves overwhelmed their opponents. The second set was a masterclass in teamwork, with the Britons sprinting to a swift close in just over an hour. For Raducanu, the smaller court offered a “comforting cloak of anonymity,” allowing her to fine-tune her doubles game in a vibrant, supportive environment.
The decision to pair up was born from a conversation during a clay-court practice session at Queen’s earlier in the year, after near-misses at tournaments like Miami and Madrid. “Myself and Emma, we’ve been wanting to play for a while now,” Boulter revealed. “We’ve talked about it a lot of times, and unfortunately, it just hasn’t quite happened for various reasons.” The timing was perfect for Queen’s, where both players aimed to maximize match time on grass ahead of Wimbledon. Boulter, a two-time Nottingham champion, and Raducanu, who reached the Wimbledon fourth round in 2024, are both chasing a seeded spot at the All England Club, with rankings of No. 34 and No. 37, respectively. Their campaigns at Queen’s could prove pivotal, especially as Raducanu’s recent resurgence threatens Boulter’s reign as British No. 1.
Despite their competitive rivalry for the top British ranking, Boulter and Raducanu’s off-court friendship shone through. Boulter, 28, downplayed the ranking battle, focusing instead on personal growth. “Obviously, it holds a massive privilege being that person, but as I have said for the last two years which I have held that position, I’m not focused on necessarily that,” she said. “I’m focused on myself and keeping my ranking up where I want it to be.” Raducanu, 22, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing their shared goal to “do as best as we can this week.” Their lighthearted press conference exchange—Boulter’s bold “Screw that, we’re going for the Wimbledon title!” in response to Raducanu’s diplomatic “take it from there”—drew laughter and highlighted their easy rapport.
The Queen’s tournament, a historic return for women’s tennis, carried extra significance for both players. “I used to watch the tournament every year growing up,” Boulter said, calling it an “absolute dream” to compete at the iconic venue. Raducanu, despite managing recurring back spasms, felt at home on the grass, signing the camera lens “home turf” with a smiley face after her singles win over Cristina Bucșa. Their doubles victory set up a potential all-British clash against Jodie Burrage and Sonay Kartal, pending the latter pair’s result against top seeds Lyudmyla Kichenok and Erin Routliffe. Boulter’s singles match against Ajla Tomljanovic, a 7-6(7-4), 1-6, 6-4 grinder, and Raducanu’s upcoming clash with Rebecca Sramkova, who upset Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova, underscored their individual ambitions.
The “Boultercanu” partnership, while new, feels natural, with both players’ aggressive styles and positive energy meshing seamlessly. As they prepare for their next doubles outing and singles campaigns, the British duo is poised to make waves on home soil. Boulter’s bold vision of a Wimbledon title may have been said in jest, but with their talent and chemistry, it’s a dream that feels within reach.
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