Katie Boulter is ‘ready’ to lead Great Britain at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals after reaching new heights on the WTA Tour
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British No.1 Katie Boulter has found her form at just the right time heading into the Billie Jean King Cup off the back of a successful Asian swing over the last few weeks.
Boulter finished her season on tour with a semi-final run at the WTA 500 in Tokyo, followed by a runner-up finish in Hong Kong – her third tour-level final of the season.
Now joining up with her GB teammates in Malaga for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, Boulter is full of confidence as she looks to lead the line once again for Anne Keothavong’s side.
“I think it was really important for me,” Boulter said, reflecting on a run of performances that has seen her reach a career-high ranking of world No.23 this month.
“I wanted to challenge myself and stay out there as long as I could. For me, playing seven weeks at five tournaments isn’t something I’d usually do but this year I decided to try and push myself. I feel like it really paid off and towards the end of the trip I played some of the best tennis I have all year.
“It’s not easily done but I think I have good momentum now. I was very motivated before those weeks to push on and it’s shown me where I want to be next year.”
Boulter was instrumental in the Brits 3-1 victory over France in April to qualify for this year’s Finals.
In only her second tour match on clay, she defeated world No.44 Clara Burel 7-5, 6-0 to give the Lexus GB team a crucial early lead before Emma Raducanu claimed her second win of the tie to book their place in Malaga.
“That tie for me was very valuable for different reasons,” Boulter said. “I found a way to win a match, and I was really happy about that, and it pushed me into my clay court season. I’m excited for that now next year as I think there’s ground I can make.
“That tie was incredible, I’m so glad we got through it. As a team we did so well – it’s quite an accomplishment beating France at home.
“Going into the Finals we’re back on my favourite surface, back on the hard courts where I feel very comfortable. Now it’s just about finishing the season strong, being with the girls and leaving everything out there.”
The 28-year-old returns to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals for the first time since 2022 but her first as the British No.1 – a title she carries with great responsibility.
Boulter has always performed well on the big stage for Great Britain – currently boasting a 12-4 winning record across singles and doubles.
Now back with her teammates in Malaga, the Leicester-native is ready to lead the British challenge for a first Billie Jean King Cup title.
“I’ve been in this role (British No.1) for a while now,” she said. “I’m comfortable where I’m at and I want to keep pushing my ranking up. I’ve worked so hard for it, it’s not something I’ve just been given.
“I enjoy leading the team, it’s an honour and a privilege. We’ve got so much depth and there’s a good vibe too, which I think is very important.
“The energy has been high so far, it’s been very high! We’ve been having a great time – we went straight into the official dinner which was a nice way to kick it off but we’re going to get down to business and get the work in in the lead up to the tie.
“I think we have a strong team and we’re in a great place. I started my journey in the Europe/Africa zone which is quite a way away from where we are now in the Finals. This week I won’t be taking it for granted. I really feel like we can go far in this tournament.
“It’s going to be a battle no matter what. Every single match is going to be hard here.”
The Lexus GB Billie Jean King Cup team take on Germany in their first round match of the Finals on Friday 15 November at 16:00 UK time.
You can watch every tie from the Billie Jean King Cup Finals on the Tennis Channel.
All of Great Britain’s ties will also be broadcast live on the Tennis Channel, as well as BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app and the Red Button.
