Family pride in Boulter the Lioness

NEIL SQUIRES

BY

KATIE BOULTER has been fighting like a lioness at Wimbledon - and dressed like one in practice for today’s third-round clash with Harmony Tan.

She wore an England Women Euros football shirt while working out with former British No.1 Jeremy Bates.

The 25-year-old (above) is a big Lionesses fan and was showing her support ahead of their opening game of the tournament against Austria at

Old Trafford on

Wednesday.

“They’re definitely inspiring me,” said Boulter. “I think they can win it. I’d like to go to some of their games if I can find time.”

She has business to attend to here first, starting with this morning’s match against the world No.115 on Court No.2.

To land an opponent outside the top 100 at this stage of the championships is a bonus, but Boulter will go into the match wary having seen the Frenchwoman (above) knock out Serena Williams.

“I did watch a little bit of it,” she said. “I know she’s a really good player with a lot of good wins under her belt, so I’m going to have to bring the best I’ve got out there. I’m definitely going to enjoy myself.”

The Boulter smile that has lit up these championships was on show again yesterday in a workout watched by boyfriend Alex de Minaur, the Australian who eliminated Jack Draper in the men’s draw.

But underneath she is grieving for her grandmother who died at the start of the week. They were very close and the way in which she has been able to compartmentalise her emotions has been a key to her success in week one.

“She has incredible mental and physical resilience in a sporting sense and a very competitive nature,” said Bates. “It’s been a very difficult time for her but there are some of the traits in her that are relevant to her personal situation this week.

“It’s very impressive.” Boulter’s mum Sue, a tennis coach, said: “The whole family is so proud of the way Katie performed and how she continues to deal with whatever’s thrown in her path.”