Boulter ‘devastated’ after defeat in thriller
KATIE Boulter had admitted she was “devastated” after coming within whisker of a shock victory on her Wimbledon debut.
The 20-year-old from Woodhouse Eaves looked set to defy the 178 places between her and Christina McHale in the rankings when she led the American by a set and later by a break in the decider but the American fought back to win 3-6 7-5 6-3 in a thrilling first-round match that marked Boulter’s debut in the senior draw of a grand slam.
Boulter said: “I’m completely devastated in this one moment. I’m sure in the next couple of days I will reflect on it a little bit more. Of course I’m proud to represent my country and to give my all. That’s where I’m at right now.”
Boulter was given a wild card to enter the main draw, having climbed up from sitting 596th in the world this time last year. She enjoyed a raucous home crowd on Court 12 but the pressure told in the final set.
“It’s my Wimbledon debut, it is something that I have dreamed of since I was a little girl,” Boulter said.
“I have always wanted to play here. I think it would be wrong if anyone, inhumane if you weren’t nervous.”
But on the same day that Australia’s Bernard Tomic said he felt “bored” playing at the All England Club, Boulter described it as a dream come true.
“I think it was better than I ever expected,” Boulter said.
“You cannot describe the feelings that go through you when you play that match - especially when you really feel like you have a chance to win it and progress and get better when you’re out there. It’s much better than I even ever thought or dreamt of.”
Boulter was seen reading motivational notes to herself in changeovers between games, a ploy Andy Murray has also used in the past.
“It’s something myself and my coach and my team have talked about and it’s something that helps me remind myself of what I have to do when I go out,” Boulter said. “I think it helped me a lot.”
McHale, ranked 60th in the world, is a regular in the early rounds of grand slams and she even gave Serena Williams a scare at Wimbledon last year, when she led her compatriot by a set.
Boulter will take confidence from the occasion into her future tournaments.
“For sure, I know my skills are compatible with these players,” Boulter said, “she’s very high in the rankings and it’s where I want to be next year. It’s where I want to be for the rest of my career.”