The friendly relationship yet professional rivalry between Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter could be the spark that British women’s tennis has been crying out for since before the turn of the 21st century.
When Raducanu won the US Open trophy in 2021becoming the first Briton to win a Grand Slam singles title in 44 years, it was as if the nation had found its new tennis star. Andy Murray He exited this tournament three years ago in the first round and it was thought that the mantle he had carried for so long had finally been passed on to him.
Although this has not happened, with Raducanu’s surgeries on both wrists, one ankle and more recently a foot ligament injury affecting her progress and ranking, a new era of British women’s tennis could be on the horizon. horizon with her and British number one Boulter. .
British tennis has not experienced national rivalry at world level
Laura Robson won junior Wimbledon at the age of 14 and reached the world top 30, but injuries curtailed her career before she could establish herself. Johanna Konta then carried Britain’s hopes, reaching the top four of the world rankings and the semi-finals of three grand slams, with Heather Watson also putting in strong performances. But there was none of the camaraderie of Raducanu and Boulter in a British team that developed jokes, threw a birthday party and even braided hair.
“We get along very well because I think we are a very strong singles combination,” Raducanu said of his relationship with Boulter.
“Playing two-person is an important role, because the team members that you know are very, very strong, and I think getting a win and a tough two-person match is really important to give Katie a lead. a point, rather than playing with a lot more pressure.
“It’s great to play with her. She’s such a nice girl and I know we worked really well together in France (in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers) and we’re doing the same again in Malaga.
Tennis can often be a solitary sport, especially for women, but the Great Britain team embraced the nature of the environment, playing Spike Ball together as a warm-up to help not only encourage tennis. team, but also competitiveness, and eating almost every meal together. .
“There were a few inside jokes that kept us going, and it’s actually hilarious but I’m going to keep that under wraps for now, until the end and then we’ll explain it,” said Raducanu of enigmatic way after Great Britain’s victory over last year’s winners Canada to reach the semi-finals.
“It’s important for girls to freeze – that hasn’t always been the case”
As team captain, Anne Keothavong knows very well, since she started playing, that relationships within a team are not always a given.
“It’s wonderful to see that your two best players really get along and there’s a lot of respect for each other,” she said after Great Britain won the Canada to host a semi-final with Slovakia.
“You know what’s important to me in this competition, that the girls find a way to fit in and get along. And you know from my previous experience as a player that that wasn’t always the case.
Keothavong had a long-standing rivalry turned friendship with Elena Baltacha during his own playing years. They were born just a month apart and both had just reached the world top 50, but an argument led to a period during which the two did not speak for several years, before reuniting to play doubles at London 2012. Baltacha sadly died of liver disease. cancer in 2014.
“Over the years, I have evolved as a captain, but I am also aware and very lucky to have such great players, who want to be a part of it,” Keothavong added.
“I know they know some of my past experiences, and they know very well how and why I enjoy this competition and why I want to make the difference that I do. Because as a player, there were certain things I didn’t do that were right.
Rivalries already beneath the surface in British tennis
The strange nature of tennis means that the same players who are teammates can compete against each other, but sometimes rivalries can creep in and affect the harmonious nature of team environments.
Boulter had an impressive season as British number 1, breaking into the world top 25 for the first time and winning the Nottingham Open, despite struggling at the grand slams, including at Wimbledon where she was knocked out by Harriet Dart in a tough second. -round match.
Dart had complained about Boulter’s 2023 victory celebration, calling it “unprofessional” during the meeting between the two, which the latter won in straight sets at the Nottingham Open. Dart was then reduced to tears during their clash at Wimbledon, in a rivalry and relationship that has a multi-generational aspect, with their two mothers playing against each other.
Although the two were teammates this week, it was Boulter who took the spotlight, scoring decisive victories over German Laura Siegemund and 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez.
Dart, ranked No.61, has traveled to the Great Britain squad but is unlikely to feature unless an injury to Raducanu or Boulter affects his participation.
Great Britain face Slovakia in the Billie Jean King Cup semi-final on Tuesday at 11:00 GMT. Viktoria Hruncakova is ranked 238th in the world and is most likely to play Raducanu, with Boulter facing Rebecca Sramkova, although final team selections will not be confirmed until an hour before the match begins.
