Loughborough College student Katie Boulter is set to make her Wimbledon debut – and described it as a “dream come true”.
The 20 year old, who hit a career-high world ranking earlier this year and is currently 246th, steps onto the court for her first round match on Tuesday against American Christina McHale – who ranks 59th.
Boulter has previously played in qualifying and in the girls’ singles at Wimbledon but landed a wildcard entry from the All England Tennis Club to this year’s tournament - given to players whose world ranking is not high enough to qualify automatically for the Championships. This means she is playing in the women’s singles main draw for the first time. She has also been given a wildcard into the women’s doubles event where she will pair up with Katie Swan.
The Loughborough College Sport student was ranked in the top ten players in the world as a junior. She has won two singles and four doubles titles on the International Tennis Federation Tour during her career and after spending much of 2015 and early 2016 struggling with injury and illness returned to the tour and is currently British number six.
Boulter, who is coached by former British number one Jeremy Bates, said: "I am honoured. I'm fortunate to get a wildcard and I’m so grateful for the opportunity. I've put in all the hard work this year and I am looking forward to playing and testing my skills against higher-ranked players.
"Ultimately I am there to try to win matches. I just want to have fun and play my game and I don't doubt that I can do well.
"Each moment I will enjoy and I will cherish it for the rest of my life.”
Credit – Instagram: Katie Boulter