Katie Boulter to have fun ‘dream’ Nottingham Open triumph down the pub

Katie Boulter claimed goals do come true after profitable her first WTA title at her “home” occasion in Nottingham. And the Leicestershire star then promised to take her group all the way down to her native pub to have fun.

The British No 1 admitted she suffered a sleepless evening earlier than taking part in “lights out” tennis to beat her pal Jodie Burrage 6-3 6-3 within the ultimate of the Rothesay Open. Victory within the first all-British WTA ultimate since 1977 lifted Boulter to a brand new career-high rating on this planet’s high 80.

And profitable on the Nottingham Tennis Centre made the wildcard’s first large win additional particular. “I’m definitely going to be sleeping with this trophy tonight!” mentioned the Leicester City fan. “I dreamed of this moment at this tournament since I was a little girl that was training here when I was four or five years old.

“Coming here as a fan and now as a player, it means more than everything to me. I found some photos of me at the beginning of the week training here as a tiny tot and I looked so happy and like I was having the time of my life. I chose to remind myself before the final today that that little girl still loves playing tennis and just enjoys every single moment that she is out on the court.

“And I think that really helped me today because I was very relaxed. You play one or two matches like that all year. To be back here I have so many special feelings, staying at home, mum’s cooking made all the difference so yeah, it does feel very special to me because it is my home tournament.

“What an incredible achievement it is.” Boulter additionally admitted she was emotional after preventing again from a career-threatening again harm in 2019 after she had first damaged into the world’s high 100.

She added: “In my toughest moments, I have thought to myself if I would be able to come back from them, how I would come back from them. Nothing is straightforward. I never took that for granted. I am sitting on top of a cloud right now and I am going to enjoy it I am sure.

“I am going to have a nice dinner with my team at the local pub!” Burrage, who would have turn into British No 1 for the primary time along with her first WTA title, mentioned: “A bit gutted today but Boults played absolutely incredible so credit to her.”