Katie Boulter heads into Wimbledon in the best shape of her career

Katie Boulter is heading to Wimbledon with the best base that she has yet been afforded for her home Grand Slam.

She will be afforded a seeding, even if that is the No 32 she is currently in line for and is also physically in great shape and in good form.

Boulter grew up playing on grass and has felt that this should give her an edge at Wimbledon but she is yet to pay off that promise.

Her best efforts at the All England Club have seen her reach the third round in 2022 and 2023.

“It’s another year that I’m going in, but a completely different situation for me,” Boulter told Tennis.com.

“This time last year, I was going in with a ranking of probably 150; this year, I’m going in with a Top 30 ranking.

“It just gives me a reminder as to how far I’ve come.”

Boulter’s 2024 campaign got off to a great start as she earned a singles win over Jessica Pegula at the United Cup.

She feels that result gave her the confidence to enjoy a breakthrough campaign and assume the mantle of British No 1.

“That was a huge moment for me,” Boulter said.

“We all put our best efforts into the preseason, but we honestly don’t know what’s going to come out the other side.

“I think I learned a lot from that match. I went for it. It did kind of show me that I can be at that level. It really does help you, going into the rest of the season, to show that you’re on the right track.”

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The Leicester native believes that her underdog spirit and tenacity is something she has in common with the famous football club from her home town.

“I see myself as a Fox,” Boulter said.

“They’re fighters, they keep on going.

“I think I’ve been through a lot of adversity on and off the court, and them on the pitch as well.

“We’re known for being competitive fighters and I definitely feel like I emulate that.”

Boulter is grateful for the opportunities she had as a young player, especially her chances to play on grass often as a junior.

Her mother was a coach at Leicestershire Lawn Tennis Club and she has fond memories of her formative years.

“You’ve got to maintain them—it’s not easy,” Boulter said.

“To have the privilege of having a couple [grass] courts, I thought that was amazing.

“I remember, every single year, the club championships, which were always massive. Everyone would get together and just compete. I love the environment of that, and I think it’s something that really got me into tennis.”