On June 9, 2025, the lush green courts of Queen’s Club in West London buzzed with excitement as British tennis stars Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter made their highly anticipated doubles debut at the inaugural WTA 500 HSBC Championships. In a dazzling display of synergy and skill, the duo, affectionately dubbed “Boultercanu” by fans, dispatched doubles specialists Xinyu Jiang of China and Fang-Hsien Wu of Taiwan with a commanding 6-4, 6-2 victory in just 72 minutes. This triumph marked a historic moment, as women’s tennis returned to the iconic venue for the first time in 52 years, igniting the grass-court season with a burst of British pride.
The atmosphere on Court One, a more intimate setting compared to the newly christened Andy Murray Arena, was electric. Fans packed the 1,000-seat stands, their cheers echoing through the overcast West Kensington skies. Despite the match not being televised—a decision that sparked frustration among viewers unable to watch on BBC or iPlayer—the home crowd’s fervor was palpable. Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, admitted to pre-match jitters, confessing, “I was actually very nervous before the match. I don’t know if Katie could tell. But probably more nervous than the singles, because I just didn’t really necessarily know what to do.” Yet, once on court, the 22-year-old found her rhythm, guided by the steady hand of Boulter, the British No. 1. “Katie made me feel so comfortable, and I’m just so pleased to get a win on the board,” Raducanu added.
The partnership, born from a spontaneous conversation during a practice session on Queen’s clay courts, had been a long time coming. Boulter, 28, revealed, “Myself and Emma, we’ve been wanting to play for a while now. I think we’ve talked about it a lot of times, and unfortunately, it just hasn’t quite happened for various reasons.” Previous discussions in Miami, Madrid, and Paris hadn’t materialized, but their shared desire to maximize grass-court time ahead of Wimbledon fueled this collaboration. Boulter’s doubles experience, honed through successful stints at the Billie Jean King Cup and alongside players like Daria Kasatkina, complemented Raducanu’s raw talent. For Raducanu, this was only her second professional doubles match, her first since partnering Clara Tauson at the 2022 Washington Open.
The match itself was a masterclass in complementary play. Boulter’s powerful baseline game set the stage, unleashing sizzling cross-court backhands, while Raducanu’s quick reflexes at the net delivered stinging volleys. The Britons secured an early break in the first set, surging to a 4-2 lead. Though Jiang and Wu clawed back to 4-4, the British pair’s resilience shone through. Raducanu’s clean groundstrokes and Boulter’s tricky wide serve on set point sealed the first set 6-4. The second set was a display of dominance, with the duo refusing their opponents a single break point opportunity. Raducanu’s emphatic volley on match point sent the crowd into a frenzy, cementing their place in the second round.
The victory was more than a win; it was a statement. Both players, ranked No. 34 (Boulter) and No. 37 (Raducanu) globally, are vying for a top-32 seed at Wimbledon. Their campaigns at Queen’s, where they also compete in singles, could propel them up the rankings. Raducanu faces a qualifier in the first round, with a potential clash against Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova looming, while Boulter takes on Ajla Tomljanovic. The doubles partnership also serves as a strategic move to prepare for the Billie Jean King Cup, with Raducanu noting, “It was important to put ourselves in the best position possible” for captain Anne Keothavong’s squad.
Despite the match’s absence from TV screens—due to contractual obligations prioritizing singles matches on the main court—Raducanu embraced the intimate setting. “I think sometimes on the smaller courts you get a bigger feel for the match and the atmosphere and the environment because it’s a lot closer,” she said. “I was filling my bottle up, and I was literally having a chat in the stands because that’s how close it is.” Boulter, relishing the home advantage, added, “I love being here. I get to sleep in my own bed, which really doesn’t happen often, and make myself breakfast in the morning, which sometimes counts for so much.”
Looking ahead, the duo could face compatriots Jodie Burrage and Sonay Kartal in the quarterfinals, depending on the outcome of their match against top seeds Lyudmyla Kichenok and Erin Routliffe. When asked about future collaborations, including Wimbledon, Raducanu remained cautious: “We haven’t spoken about it. It worked pretty well, so we’re just going to keep on trying to do as best as we can this week.” Boulter, ever the joker, interjected, “Scrap what she said – we’re going for the Wimbledon title! No, I’m just kidding.” Their camaraderie, marked by high-fives and laughter, hints at a partnership with potential to dazzle beyond Queen’s. As the grass season unfolds, “Boultercanu” has already set the British tennis scene alight, leaving fans eager for more.
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