THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 6, 2023

Katie Boulter

Press Conference

K. BOULTER/V. Tomova

6-0, 3-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference for Katie Boulter.

We'll start with questions.

Q. After such a comprehensive first set, you were tested in the second. How much of a boost does it give you to come through a three-set match?

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah, I think it's really important for me to get through matches like that. She's obviously a top player. She plays week in, week out against players like me. She knows how to win a lot of matches. She beat the seed yesterday. I was expecting a tough match.

She came out, and I was playing some really good tennis in the first set. I expected a reaction to the first set, and she definitely came back and gave me a lot more trouble in the second, and third, as well.

I tried to dig deep, as much as I could, and stick to my game plan, back myself. Today it paid off.

Q. We don't know your opponent yet. It might be the defending champion. What are your thoughts on that?

KATIE BOULTER: I think it's a super great opportunity for me. I've got nothing to lose. She's clearly the defending champion for a reason.

I'm going to have a swing and go for it. I've got a lot of tennis behind me. It's time for me to test my skills against an incredible champion.

Q. How well do you feel you're playing at the moment?

KATIE BOULTER: I think I'm playing really well. I've played a lot of matches on the grass. I feel very comfortable. Again, it's always a tough match on grass when you're playing people like I am today. They're going to come back at you with a lot more trouble. I have to find ways to win.

A lot of it is my self-belief. A lot of matches I've really drawn from recently to help me get over the line. I definitely did that again today, as well as the British crowd.

Q. Can you talk us through the match a little bit. Back and forth. What changed between the first and second set, then third?

KATIE BOULTER: I think it was quite blustery with the wind. From end to end, there was no real pattern to it. I think in the first set, I kind of got ahold of her serve a little bit where I felt comfortable hitting through the ball and being a bit more aggressive.

I think in the second I backed off a bit and she managed to use that and started to play her game where she's moving me around a bit more.

I think I needed to remind myself, especially going into the start of the third set, that my game is to be aggressive. I'm not going to win matches by running and putting the ball in the court. I had to try and trust that. I did that incredibly well.

I got a little bit lucky with a couple of net cords in the third set. Ultimately that's me going for it. I'm close to the mark, and it paid off today.

Q. You and Liam seem to thrive on the grass. A lot of players find it difficult. Is that just because some players don't play when they're younger?

KATIE BOULTER: I think it's just game styles. I think we embrace it a lot. I wouldn't say we get that much more time to practice on the grass. We get an extra few days here and there before the season starts.

Most of the grass courts aren't available all year round. It doesn't really make that much difference in terms of time. I think game style is a huge one because a lot of people can be more effective on the grass and other people really can't.

Yeah, I feel like I'm one of those players that relishes and enjoys playing out there. Obviously the home crowd makes all the difference for us.

Q. What about your game style?

KATIE BOULTER: I think I'm an aggressive player. I just enjoy going for it. On a grass court, I feel like I have more of an opportunity to play my game. That's probably why.

Q. You've had a lot of disruptions and distractions throughout your two games. How much confidence does it give you that you've managed to stay concentrated throughout all that going into the next round?

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah, I mean, every time I kind of come off the court, I think my ceiling for patience and my strength seems to go up through the roof every single time. Just when I think it can't get any better, it definitely does.

I think that's a lot of credit to me. I've worked super hard mentally. It's not easy playing these matches when there's a lot of things going on. But you've got to stay in the zone. I try very hard to do that.

Q. When you say you work hard mentally, what have you been doing?

KATIE BOULTER: I've worked with my long-time psych. We have a lot of chats and calls, conversations. So, yeah, I've spent a while working with him.

Q. There was a poor lady coughing quite a bit. I think she was actually asthmatic. This is quite left field. I could really smell pizza. There's a food court right behind.

KATIE BOULTER: (Laughter).

Q. I wondered whether you could smell that, as well, if it put you off.

KATIE BOULTER: No, honestly I wish it had. It might have spurred me on to do it a bit quicker (smiling).

No, obviously there was a lady there who was coughing. I actually was more worried if she was okay because it went on for a quite a while.

I didn't really want to not continue play, but I didn't want to continue playing when I knew someone behind me was struggling. I just said it to the umpire to see and check. I couldn't actually see where the lady was.

There's always going to be a lot of distractions. For me I was more worried about her.

Q. Given the protest in your previous match, how mindful are you for that to repeat?

KATIE BOULTER: You know what, it didn't at all. I felt very safe out there. I felt like the security was very strong. I felt that the moment I actually walked out the doors. I had a lot of people with me.

I had no issue. It didn't come into my mind at all today.

Q. Were you bolstered as a result of that?

KATIE BOULTER: Honestly, not really sure. I felt the same yesterday walking to the court. It's a little closer, the court.

Yeah, maybe it was a little easier. I felt very comfortable both times.

Q. If we take a step back, a special few weeks for you. Can you put into words what it means to you the sort of journey you've been on?

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah, I mean, it's not often that I take a pause and I really do think about these last few weeks. They've been quite the roller coaster in many different ways.

But I think everything that's been going on has been a huge testament to my perseverance and how hard I've worked to come back from a lot of tough moments.

Again, this is full credit to my team, the people around me. They are very, very special. I wouldn't be here without them. It's a huge moment for me, but I'm not done yet. I kind of like that at the same time. I've got a lot to work on and also to push towards.

I think that's really keeping me motivated.

Q. You touched on the crowd. How special was that support?

KATIE BOULTER: When you hear the roar from the crowd, it really gives you something else. I think my adrenaline really spurs on when I hear it. Even just walking on to the court, I had a huge smile on my face today because everyone was cheering. It really doesn't get any better than that. It's like pinch-me moments. You've just got to remind yourself that this doesn't happen every day. I make the most of it.

Q. Liam Broady was asked about his family, how nervous they get watching him play. How do you manage your own family's nerves and expectations?

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah, I mean, my family are so supportive. Ever since I was a little girl, I used to go to the courts, and my mum would coach. I'd be practicing on the wall. I'd be a walking distance from my grandpa's house. I'd spend a lot of time walking backwards and forwards practicing. They always supported me with everything I did. My grandpa used to pick me up from school to go out and practice.

For me, they are my whole entire life. I'm so grateful for them because I wouldn't be anywhere close to who I am and where I am right now if it wasn't for them.

Q. Do they get nervous?

KATIE BOULTER: I don't know. I'm sure they do. My grandpa spends a lot of time actually cramping with nerves. When I see him walk off, I know he's struggling (smiling). No, my mum and my grandpa are great.

Obviously I've kind of been in their shoes a little bit more watching Alex. I hate every minute of it because it is so stressful.

Yeah, they're the best support that I've got. I'm lucky to have them here with me. My brother, as well.

Q. You were saying you've had lots of conversations with your psych. May I ask what specifically the conversations are? Do you do specific exercises?

KATIE BOULTER: If I'm honest, it's quite a private thing. I probably won't talk too much about it. I think they're conversations for me and him.

He's been a great support. I do appreciate having him around. He's, yeah, top-notch.

Q. (Off microphone.)

KATIE BOULTER: FaceTime.

Q. Do you have a personal preference on the courts here at Wimbledon with the home crowd and support for you?

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah, I mean, I always say this: you put me on practice court 25 and Aorangi, you're going to get the same Katie that you're going to get who's on Centre Court.

In terms of my game, nothing is going to change. But of course the louder the crowd for me, the better. That's the stuff that really helps you and spurs you on. I'm sure whatever court I'm going to be playing on, it's going to be a huge roar for both of us on the court. I'm looking forward to it already.

Q. How does the celebrity aspect make you feel? The more you progress, the more well-known you become.

KATIE BOULTER: No, it was never really my goal to be famous is the word. I wouldn't say I'm famous as such.

One thing I've really admired about Alex is how humble he is. He is the most down-to-earth person I've ever met. He's top 20, he's been 15. He's a top tennis player and he knows how to handle himself.

Anything I see from him, I try and draw on it. Yeah, he's my best example of what I want to be.

Q. Will you watch any of the match that you played last year against Pliskova back? What are the specific memories from that match?

KATIE BOULTER: I think I've got the whole entire thing in my memory, to be honest with you.

It was an incredible match. I still think about the time that I served it out. That's something that I draw on even in my match today, I'm thinking about it, when I'm trying to serve out the match.

I'm already excited to play against a top player and have a go. I think they're the moments I get excited for because ultimately it's a time for me to test myself. I'm going to be remembering that no matter what court I'm on.

If I happen to be walking out on Centre, I'll be thinking about that for sure.

Q. You said after the match you have to remind yourself to back yourself.

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah.

Q. Do you have a specific mantra or trick you do?

KATIE BOULTER: No, I really don't. When I say those kinds of things, it reminds me of the work I've put in. I know I've put the work in. I think that's the biggest tick for me.

I just think back to the hardest moments and the good moments and the times that I got over the line, and they're the ones that push me over the line. It definitely did again today.

It wasn't easy out there in any way, shape or form. But sometimes you just got to back yourself and trust the process. Hey, if I go for it and I lose, I have no issue with that at all. It's the moments that I don't go for it that I struggle with.