THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 30, 2022

Katie Boulter

Press Conference

K. BOULTER/K. Pliskova

3-6, 7-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Great match today. What are some of your thoughts?

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah, it was a very, very tough match for me from many aspects. Super proud of myself for getting through today against a player like that, having already played her last week. I also had expectations going out there.

I managed to control my emotions very well and played a really good match. Ultimately it came down to the wire, and I think I stayed really strong in the tough moments. I think that's why I got the win today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. It's been a short time since the match finished, but how are you feeling? Can you dare to dream about going all the way?

KATIE BOULTER: I'm going to take one step at a time, of course. I don't want to get too far ahead of myself. I knew I've put the work in to win some rounds here. I just hope I can keep that going, keep the momentum going.

I just look forward to going out there and enjoying myself and having a smile on my face. I don't think it gets any better than playing on Centre Court and getting my first win on there. Ultimately that's going to give me a lot of energy going through to many more rounds, hopefully many more tournaments.

Q. Were you a bit surprised to be playing indoors, given the weather was fine? It was actually quite sunny. You'd beaten her outdoors last week.

KATIE BOULTER: It was definitely a change. I didn't know until maybe five minutes before I went on the court. It was definitely relevant. It was nice to get acquainted in my first match under the roof. Never seen it before, never played underneath it.

It took a few minutes to get used to, for sure. The first few service games I think from maybe both of us were a little bit dodgey. I was just getting used to my ball toss.

It was nice to play a different match. Different conditions. Obviously the courts are different than last week, they're a lot slower.

But, yeah, it was a little bit of a surprise for me because I didn't really know about the weather either. Obviously it's not my job to make that call. Ultimately it's the people that put the tournament on.

Q. Obviously with your game styles, it's first-strike tennis. On a big stage against a top player, how do you find the balance between attacking and waiting for the right opportunity?

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah, definitely, I expect a player of that caliber to come back with better tennis. I think I started really well, and I kind of gave away my advantage a little bit in one of the games. So I was a little bit frustrated with that. From then on she picked up her game and her momentum.

She's a very aggressive player. For me, I have to stay really strong because I also know she's going to come in waves. She's clearly been able to put it together many, many times, which is why she's made final here before.

The best I can do is staying strong and hoping for the opportunity. Eventually I got it today. Today I managed to get the win.

Q. I'm sorry about your gran. How difficult has it been to balance all your emotions and keep your focus on tennis?

KATIE BOULTER: I'm probably not going to dive into that one because I might get quite emotional.

But, yeah, it's been a tough few days for sure. As a general, I've tried to kind of get my emotions out and deal with the situation, try and keep my head on the tennis.

I was lucky because my grandpa managed to come down from Leicester, and so we could keep him company and keep supporting him at the same time.

Q. It did feel a little bit like watching lightning strike twice. How much did that help, beating her in Eastbourne?

KATIE BOULTER: I think it really helped for me. It's easy to say I believe I can win this match. But to have actually gone out and done it a week before, it does make the difference.

I think that's also why when I played an okay first set, she picked up her game a lot, I felt like I went through that last week. I just needed to stay with her and stay on serve especially in the second set. I did that again in Eastbourne. I managed to get a chance.

I feel like I got that chance again today. I got a bit lucky. Hopefully I can win many more matches like that and just be strong.

Q. Did your gran go and watch you a lot? If I could ask her name.

KATIE BOULTER: Jill. Her favorite tournament was Wimbledon. That's why it's a special one for me. Yeah, she'd watch every single match that was on the TV.

Q. Coming through the ranks as a teenager, you were tipped as the player that was going to go far in British tennis. You've had some bad injury trouble. Did this feel like a long time coming?

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah, I think so. I think it just shows how much work I've put in. I never, ever expect to have things change overnight. I don't think that's something that ever happens. It does sometimes in miracles. You look at Emma, she's put a lot of work in. Right early in her career she's been able to come out there and swing freely.

I think it's a little bit different for me where I have had to kind of build momentum and build some strength physically. It's a huge part of my game. I finally have been able to put that work in. It's started to pay off.

I've got a lot more work to do, and hopefully, yeah, I can keep doing that.

Q. There was a lot of people in tears in the crowd after what you said at the end of the match. When did you learn that your grandmother had died?

KATIE BOULTER: I actually had a phone call from my grandpa the night before I played. He didn't mention anything, but he kind of gave me the inkling that it might be coming.

I didn't know anything until after my first match where my mum basically pulled me aside and told me after the first match.

Q. It's a shame that Wimbledon doesn't have ranking points this year. Is there a part of you now that wishes you could have those ranking points that would give you an opportunity to get back into the top hundred?

KATIE BOULTER: Look, ultimately I'm going to keep working as hard as I possibly can. I'm going to get those wins at some point. I stick to that. I'll stand by that and believe in myself.

I'm sure I'm going to get there. It's just a matter of time when that happens. Obviously it's a really difficult situation for Wimbledon and the whole entire country. There's not much you can do about it.

Ultimately at the end of the day I'm a tennis player and I've got to keep my head down and do what I can. I'm so grateful to be here right now, given the opportunity to play this tournament, to be in the third round for the first time. It is something for me.

Q. It's been well-documented the physical struggles that you've had. You had some other very difficult news this week. Do you think having overcome those other challenges, has that almost helped you in terms of preparing for your tennis?

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah, I think every time you lose a tennis match or every time something happens in your life, you do get a little bit of a reality check. I feel like I'm the type of person that will come back stronger no matter what happens.

Again, I'm lucky to have such a great support around me, and that does make a huge, huge difference. I've got great people, great boyfriend, yeah, just a great team who push me every single day.

Without that network, I'm not sure where I would be. But ultimately I am a fighter and I am standing here today having overcome a lot of those issues. I just hope that they will at some point go away.

But you know, it's a fact of life. These things do happen and you have to deal with them. It's nothing different to any other person. We all go through our own struggles. Mine are just a little bit different and more frequent.

Q. You play Harmony Tan next. Maybe not the high-ranked opponent you might be expected to play. Seems like a great opportunity for both of you.

KATIE BOULTER: Of course. I actually watched her match against Serena. She makes it very difficult. There's a reason she's beaten some really good players this week. I expect nothing less than her to go out there and enjoy herself when I play her.

It's going to be a tough battle. But ultimately I'm just going to go out and enjoy myself and play some good tennis hopefully.

Q. Given your path to this, all the injuries and stuff, do you consider yourself a patient person?

KATIE BOULTER: That's a very good question (smiling).

I think I've learnt to be patient. I wouldn't say I'm a patient person. I think I never really had the choice. It's the reason I am where I am today. I'll stick by that.

Q. You mentioned your boyfriend. Obviously he's playing shortly. Are you going to get out there and watch him? How will you celebrate together?

KATIE BOULTER: I'm sure I'll be getting out there. Obviously I've got to look after my body and do everything that I need to do. I'll be there supporting him. It's a tough match. Obviously he plays a British player as well who I've got a lot of admiration for him as well. He's a great player.

I'm sure they'll go out there and have a really good match. Yeah, I'll be supporting, for sure.

Q. Can you tell us a little bit about how your gran supported your career to this point.

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah, she's always someone who's been right into tennis from stage one. She lives just down the road from the tennis club. That's the tennis club that I started playing tennis at. Yeah, Leicestershire is very close to my heart. I've spent a lot of time on the courts there with my grandparents and my family.

It's a lot of memories. Yeah, ones I cherish.

Q. Obviously had a couple of British Grand Slam winners go out on Centre Court yesterday. Did you get a sense from the crowd that this was good news they were really hoping for today?

KATIE BOULTER: Well, I hope they enjoyed it. I thought it was a really good match. I actually watched both those matches yesterday. Really tough for both of them. It's sad to see them go out. But I'm sure they'll come back stronger and they'll be fit and fighting, ready for US Open.

The crowd were incredible today. They really lifted me when I needed it. Got me pretty emotional at times. But, yeah, there's nothing like playing on Centre Court. It's the pinnacle of tennis.

Q. If your local football team can win the Premier League at 5,000 to 1, what chance do you have?

KATIE BOULTER: What do the bookies say mine is (laughter)? I hope I can take a leaf out of their book. I've got a lot of support from the Foxes. Yeah, they were something else that year. Maybe I can hopefully create that this year.

Q. You mentioned the miracle of what Emma did last year. Does what she did give somebody like you in your position belief and hope that anything's possible?

KATIE BOULTER: Hundred percent, yeah. What she did was astonishing. I think everyone in this room knows how incredible what she did. It doesn't come every single day. She came out, she surprised everyone, and she played some fearless tennis. That's what's so impressive.

I hope I can go out there and do the same thing. I'd love to do what she's done. You never know, one day it might happen.