“It’s something I’ve dreamed about” – Katie Boulter looks ahead to HSBC Championships debut at Queen’s
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This summer, women’s tennis returns to The Queen’s Club at the HSBC Championships for the first time in over 50 years – a landmark moment for British tennis.
As the world’s best players look ahead to playing at one of the sport’s most iconic venues this summer, it holds a special significance for the British stars, and none more so than current British No.1 Katie Boulter.
Just a few months away from the start of the British grass court season, Boulter took the time to chat all things Queen’s, her reaction to the new women’s event, the impact of home crowds and her season so far.
Tickets for the women’s event at the HSBC Championships are on sale now.
“It definitely is historical,” Boulter said. “I think it's going to be quite a fun moment for a lot of the women going out onto that court, especially as it's been a long time.
“It's actually something that I've dreamed about. I always wished that I got the chance to play at Queen's.
“I've been there many times watching and I've actually been into the players' lounge and into the areas which, you know, the men get to go into.
“Back in London, back in my own house, back in the places that I want to be in. It's going to be quite a spectacle.”
Many of Boulter’s best moments on a tennis court have come on the grass – particularly at her home tournament in Nottingham.
The Leicester-native is the back-to-back reigning champion at the Lexus Nottingham Open and has also reached quarter-finals in Eastbourne and Birmingham.
Despite her recent success on grass, Boulter knows that coming into the HSBC Championships, it’s going to be a big challenge for all the players to get used to the new surroundings and surface.
It's actually something that I've dreamed about. I always wished that I got the chance to play at Queen's.
“I don't see myself at all as a favourite going into Queen’s,” she admitted. “I do have a lot of experience on the grass, but every single place that you go to is very different. Birmingham plays very differently to Nottingham and Eastbourne as well.
“Coming into a brand new, fresh, exciting venue, I think it's going to be interesting to see who takes to the courts quicker and who gets used to it.
“I've obviously heard quite a bit from the men about how the courts play but I don't know if that will suit me or not. I will enjoy playing on the grass and obviously with a home crowd you never know what can happen.”
Playing in front of your home fans is always a big plus – few places more so than during the British grass court season.
Over the years, Boulter has experienced all the highs that come with playing as a British player throughout the summer and understands the difference the fans can make. As a British No.1, she’ll head to The Queen’s Club with the full voice of the Andy Murray Arena behind her.
It feels like people are lifting you up, making things easier for you and really getting behind you. It makes such a difference to all the players.
“It's a very difficult feeling to describe to someone,” Boulter explained. “If you can imagine that you're walking onto a court, you've got your full team behind you, and then you've got your whole country behind you.
“It feels like people are lifting you up, making things easier for you and really getting behind you. It makes such a difference to all the players, as you can see. I've actually been watching some of the matches in Rio recently and the atmosphere is insane. Like you can see what it does to players and the emotion it brings out for players as well
“I think it means so much more to them knowing that everyone's invested in you, and everyone wants you to do well.”
Boulter made a promising start to 2025 – carrying GB to the quarter-finals of the United Cup and coming just a few points away from beating former world No.1 Iga Swiatek.
However, an injury early in the year has put some of her season on hold so far, but now she’s back competing in events and ready to challenge for more titles.
“The new year has been already quite interesting for me,” Boulter said. “I think it's been a whirlwind of some incredible tennis that I've played and I can firmly see where my game can belong and should belong if I can get myself there physically as well. I've improved so much in my physicality and the way that I've been playing.
“I feel like this year is for me about going out and having a swing. I've missed a couple of tournaments now with an injury and sometimes those things do happen, freak injuries happen and unfortunately that happened to me at the start of the year but it's a long, long way to go. There's a big season to play and my goal is to get myself back as quickly as possible and to get myself in the shape that I was at during the start of the year.
“If I can put that tennis on the court then I do strongly feel like I've got a great chance at some of the biggest events. I've just got to keep working hard and hope that that comes.”
You can watch Boulter alongside former world No.1 and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, Australian Open winner Madison Keys, 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, former world No.3 Jessica Pegula and many more star names at the HSBC Championships this summer.
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Tickets for the women's WTA 500 event at the HSBC Championships are on sale now.
See the world’s best women’s tennis stars compete for their place in history as the first women’s champion for more than half a century.
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