Katie Boulter will team up with Venus Williams at the Madrid Open (Image: Getty)
Katie Boulter says her inner child will be “screaming” when she takes to the court with Venus Williams at the Madrid Open this week. The British No. 3 will link up with the seven-time Grand Slam champion in the women’s doubles event after her coach asked Williams’ team if she would be happy to partner up, and got the green light from the former world No. 1.
Williams has already praised Boulter’s energy and attitude on the court, and the Brit was left speechless when asked how she felt about teaming up with the tennis legend. “I’m so excited. I mean, what an opportunity for me to play with an absolute icon,” Boulter said after getting a win in singles.
“I mean, she’s… I haven’t even got words for her. I really don’t. She’s still out here playing, and so inspiring for people like me, especially having watched her growing up. So yeah, I think the little girl who watched her on the TV is the kid who is gonna be screaming on that tennis court.
“I’m gonna enjoy every minute of it. I can’t wait to get out there and just have fun on the doubles court, because I feel like a lot of the time I do just try and enjoy my doubles, and especially with her, it’s an honour to play with her.”
The world No. 61 is also keen to use their doubles partnership as an opportunity to get to know the five-time Wimbledon champion better. “We’ve practised, I think, once or twice. She seems lovely. I mean, I wouldn’t say I’ve been to many dinners with her!” Boulter laughed.
“Obviously, I’ve watched over the many years she’s been around. As an acquaintance, I’d say hi, but yeah, I don’t know her that well. So I think it’s gonna be a really nice chance to get to know her even more. I obviously played against her sister. I have spoken a little bit to her, but I would love to get to know her a bit more.”
Venus Williams has already praised Katie Boulter’s attitude on court ahead of their doubles debut (Image: Getty)
It was Boulter’s coach, Michael Joyce, who initiated their doubles link-up, and the Brit was left nervously waiting to see whether Williams would accept their request. She continued: “I was talking to my coach about playing doubles this week, and he actually happened to be talking to her coach at the same time. So he was like, ‘Why don’t we just ask?’
“So it ended up that he sent him a message, asked him, and, yeah, just so happens that it ended up that we’re playing. So, again, I’m thrilled. I’m very excited. Of course [I was nervous], I put myself out there and, again, with someone like that, you kind of hope that they’ll say yes, but you just never know, and I’m very excited that she did say yes, and I think it’s gonna be a lot of fun.”
Williams is also excited about their team debut on the doubles court. “She’s got great energy. She’s got a great attitude. She’s a fighter. I’m looking forward to playing with her because I think our energies will really match,” the American said.
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Williams is competing on the clay for the first time in five years. But she lost her first match back on the surface, suffering a 6-2 6-4 defeat to Kaitlin Quevedo in the singles event here. Meanwhile, Boulter has already gotten off to a winning start at the Caja Magica, beating Taylor Townsend 6-4 6-2 on Wednesday.
“I thought it was a really good match for me. I think it was extremely close in the first. I think we both played some good tennis. We were both trying to find our feet a little bit, and I felt like, as the match went on, my level improved, and I felt more comfortable out there,” Boulter said after reaching round two.
“I think I learned what I can and can’t do in altitude a bit more. I’ve not played many times here, so I don’t actually know, so I’m still very much learning in that aspect, and I think getting my first win here last year gave me a lot of confidence going into this year, knowing that I can play some better stuff. And getting quite a few match wins now, and regularly on clay, I feel like I’m starting to get consistent wins, which is really important, especially for the whole season.”
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