The grass courts of Queen’s Club buzzed with excitement as Britain’s top two female tennis stars, Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter, kicked off their grass-court season with a dazzling doubles victory. On a historic Monday at the WTA 500 event—the first time women’s tennis has graced the prestigious West London venue in 52 years—the duo, affectionately dubbed “Boultercanu,” dispatched Chinese-Taiwanese pair Xinyu Jiang and Fang-Hsien Wu 6-4, 6-2 in just 71 minutes. Their infectious chemistry and commanding performance ignited speculation about a potential dream partnership at Wimbledon, with Boulter playfully fanning the flames. “Scrap what she said,” she quipped with a grin, cutting across Raducanu’s cautious response. “We’re going for the Wimbledon title! No, I’m just kidding.”
For Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion ranked world No. 37, this foray into doubles was a rare venture. Having played the format only once before, alongside Denmark’s Clara Tauson at the 2022 Washington Open, the 22-year-old admitted to pre-match jitters. “I was actually very nervous before the match,” she confessed. “Probably more nervous than the singles, because I just didn’t necessarily know what to do.” Yet, Boulter’s steady presence eased her nerves, making her feel “so comfortable” on court. The pair’s synergy was evident, with Boulter’s powerful baseline game complementing Raducanu’s sharp reflexes at the net. An early break in the first set set the tone, and despite a brief fightback from their opponents at 4-4, the Britons seized control, with Raducanu sealing the second set with a crisp volley.
Boulter, the British No. 1 at world No. 34, brought her doubles experience to the partnership, having teamed up with players like Daria Kasatkina and Jodie Burrage in recent tournaments. “I think we both serve and return very well, and we both have great volleys,” Boulter said, highlighting their natural fit. “If one of us hits a good ball, we’re both capitalizing on that.” The decision to pair up was spontaneous, born from a conversation at Queen’s after near-misses in Madrid, Miami, and Paris. For Raducanu, the match was a strategic move to maximize grass-court time, especially after a clay season marred by back spasms. “Playing with Katie in a doubles match on the grass hopefully will help give a good feel of how it is to serve, to move and to react to balls on that surface,” she noted, adding that her back felt “in good shape” during the match.
The victory, played on the intimate Court One rather than the 7,700-seat Andy Murray Arena, drew a passionate crowd, though some fans grumbled about the smaller venue and the BBC’s decision to prioritize singles coverage. Raducanu embraced the cozy setting, saying, “I love playing on those smaller, outside courts where you really feel the support and the crowd gets into it. I was filling my bottle up, and I was literally having a chat in the stands because that’s how close it is.” The atmosphere fueled their performance, with fist-pumps and hugs underscoring their camaraderie.
As for Wimbledon, Raducanu played it coy when asked about extending the partnership. “We haven’t spoken about it. It worked pretty well, so we’re just going to keep on trying to do as best we can this week,” she said. Boulter’s tongue-in-cheek ambition, however, hinted at their potential. Both players are chasing a top-32 seeding at the All England Club, with strong showings at Queen’s—where Boulter faces Ajla Tomljanovic and Raducanu takes on Cristina Bucsa in singles—crucial for their rankings. The friendly rivalry for the British No. 1 spot adds intrigue, though their off-court bond, forged through Billie Jean King Cup ties and shared meals, remains strong. “Emma, Harriet Dart, Jodie Burrage, and I are all very close and travel together a lot,” Boulter once shared, emphasizing their tight-knit circle.
This Queen’s debut not only marked a milestone for women’s tennis but also showcased the promise of “Boultercanu.” Whether their doubles act becomes a Wimbledon reality remains uncertain, but their electric start has fans dreaming of a homegrown triumph on tennis’ grandest stage.
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