Katie Boulter had never defended a WTA title prior to this week in Nottingham. It wasn’t easy, but the 27-year-old Brit proved to be a quick study when all was said and done.
Boulter survived double duty on Sunday, finishing off her three hour and 13-minute semifinal win over Emma Raducanu before toppling former World No.1 Karolina Pliskova in the final at the Rothesay Open.
Boulter’s 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 triumph represents her third career title – and second of 2024.
It also marked the second time that the Leicester native has shared the winner’s circle with her boyfriend Alex de Minaur. In February the Aussie won the Acapulco title and flew to San Diego to watch Boulter win her second career title in San Diego.
On Sunday, De Minaur triumphed in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, but didn’t have time to get to Nottingham before Boulter won the title.
That didn’t go unnoticed by the 30th-ranked Brit.
“My boyfriend didn’t make the trip, even though I thought he might after his win in ‘s-Hertogenbosch,” Boulter said with a laugh. “Yeah we’ll have to be talking about that tonight, and see if we are going to be still together – I hope he’s listening to this because we have some talking to do.”
De Minaur, always one to celebrate the accomplishments of Boulter, did take to X to show support for Boulter.
It was a stellar performance from Boulter on the grass this week, as she stretched her Nottingham winning streak to 10 and increased her win total at the event to 16 – tying her with Johanna Konta for Nottingham’s all-time lead.
She rallied from a set down, taking the play to Pliskova as she broke serve five times across the final two sets and allowed only a single break (after the match was all but decided in the final set).
“I’m not entirely sure if I’m dreaming,” said the elated world No 30.
“It’s incredible to be here. [Nottingham] has a special place in my heart and it always will. It’s been an incredible week for me, mentally tough after a really hard clay court season, thanks to my team, they are incredible and I wouldn’t be here without them.”
Boulter improves to 3-0 in WTA finals; Pliskova drops to 17-17.