Boulter: I’m not playing US Open in a pandemic
Katie Boulter has become the first British player to decline the chance of playing at the uS open, even if it goes ahead. the 22-year-old from leicestershire could comfortably make the field in New York because she has an injury-protected world ranking of 85 after missing so much of last season with back problems. But as the tennis world waits to see what will happen with Flushing Meadows, which is due to start on august 31, she has already made a decision to join others who are looking to stay in europe, where the Wta tour will restart on august 1. Boulter, who yesterday reached the final of the Progress tour Championships at roehampton, will hold on to her protected entries for use elsewhere. ‘i haven’t put an entry in,’ she said. ‘i am very cautious as there is a pandemic going on. i don’t think it’s the right time.’ Jo Konta’s participation is also far from certain. the British No 1 has joined Wimbledon champion Simona Halep in entering the Palermo Women’s open in Sicily, which will herald the return of top class official ranking tournaments after the slew of exhibitions around the world. in a disappointing week which has seen far too many noshows and injuries for what was meant to be a showcase of the British women’s game, Boulter will face Surrey’s Jodie Burrage in today’s final. Boulter yesterday defeated her best friend, Nottingham’s Freya Christie, 6-3, 7-6 and has not lost a set on her way to the final. Burrage beat alicia Barnett 6-4, 6-2 in the other semi-final.