There is a new star of British tennis. Well, not that new. Just an old star finally starting to shine.
It seems rather inappropriate to be calling Katie Boulter old at 27, but it is now six years since she first won a round at Wimbledon and alerted the Great British public to her obvious talents.
Victory in San Diego on Sunday night over Marta Kostyuk bagged Boulter her first 500-level title – only 1000 events and grand slams are bigger – and moved her up to No 27 in the world, a career-high.
She will have a few days off now before heading to Indian Wells, the first half of the American “Sunshine Double” with Miami, where she will be the leading British hope on the women’s side.
Only 12 months ago, that was a burden shouldered by Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion still trying to get anywhere near those heights again.
“I don’t think just being tough on her or critical on her like any other player [is wrong],” her agent Max Eisenbud told former world No 1 Andy Roddick’s podcast this week.
