Katie Boulter drops hint about the future of Emma Raducanu doubles partnership – after ‘Boultercanu’ duo were knocked out at Queen’s

• The all-British partnership debuted at the tournament on Monday afternoon 
• After straight-sets win in the first round, Boulter and Raducanu lost to top seeds 
• Raducanu will now look to continue her journey in the singles draw this week 

By TAMARA PRENN

Katie Boulter has offered tennis fans a hint on the future of her doubles pairing with Emma Raducanu after the partnership debuted at Queen’s this week. 

The British No1 and No2 – who have swapped places in the rankings after Boulter’s three-sets defeat to fifth seed Diana Shnaider on Thursday afternoon – teamed up for the inaugural running of the WTA 500 event in west London. 

‘Boultercanu’ were able to win their first match, and claim Raducanu’s first victory in the format, against Wu Fang-hsien and Jiang Xinyu on Monday afternoon. 

But after being drawn against the first seeds Erin Routliffe and Lyudmyla Kichenok in the second-round, the pair’s journey through the tournament came to an abrupt end in their 6-2, 7-5 defeat. 

After losing to Shnaider however, Boulter was keen to reassure fans that they had not seen the last of the pairing. 

The 28-year-old also opened up on the duo’s plans for Wimbledon at the end of the month. 

Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter could yet partner up on the court again in the near future

Boulter was keen to stress how much she enjoyed playing with the former US Open champion

Raducanu had never won a doubles match – and only played the format once before on the tour

‘I think it’s really fun to play,’ Boulter said when asked about her doubles progress. ‘I personally always have a smile on my face in doubles, because I just find it enjoyable to play. 

‘I feel like there is a lot less stress. I think I’m much more relaxed about it, because I’m not putting so much stress on myself.

‘I had a great time playing with Emma this week. I’m sure we will do it at some point. I’m not sure when, but at some point I’m sure we will.

‘I don’t know about (at Wimbledon). Maybe we’ll find out a little later if we do that or not. It’s not in the plans at the moment.’ 

After their first-round match, both Boulter and Raducanu were effusive about their budding partnership, with the latter stressing how much the former’s doubles experience had put her at ease. 

‘I was actually very nervous before the match,’ Raducanu said. ‘I don’t know if Katie could tell. But probably more nervous than the singles, because I just didn’t really necessarily know what to do, but I’m really happy once we got out there. 

‘Katie made me feel so comfortable, and I’m just so pleased to get a win on the board.’

Raducanu will be able to firm up her grip on the British No1 ranking on Thursday afternoon in her second-round clash againsr Rebecca Smrakova. 

After her straight-sets drubbing of Cristina Bucsa, the Briton will be in flying form to show off her game to her Czech opponent, despite playing while managing a repeat back injury. 

But should the player wish to gain a seeding at Wimbledon, Raducanu will have to reach at least the semi-finals in west London.  

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Katie Boulter drops hint about the future of Emma Raducanu doubles partnership – after ‘Boultercanu’ duo were knocked out at Queen’s

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