- Historic All-British WTA Tour Final in Nottingham
- Katie Boulter’s Journey and Triumph
- Jodie Burrage’s Breakthrough Performance
Katie Boulter and Jodie Burrage will compete in the first all-British WTA Tour final in 46 years on Sunday in Nottingham at the Rothesay Open.
The top British women’s tennis players responded to criticism that none of them were in the main draw at the French Open with a week not seen since the 1970s. Sue Barker and Virginia Wade shared victories in the only previous all-British WTA Tour finals, held in Paris (1975) and San Francisco (1977).
For the first time on the main tour since 1975, three home competitors reached the quarterfinals. Boulter defeated Heather Watson 6-4, 7-5, and then Burrage defeated Alizé Cornet of France 7-5, 7-5.
Boulter defeated Harriet Dart in the quarterfinals and Watson this week to cement her status as British No. 1. The 26-year-old from nearby Leicestershire entered the tournament ranked 126. But she has promised to return to the top 100 for the first time since 2019 next week.
A back stress fracture disabled Boulter for seven months, preventing her from reaching the top 50. It was a long journey back.
“I have every emotion right now,” said Boulter. “I feel as though I’ve earned this. It’s not something that was just given to me, and for that I am proud.”
“I haven’t had many of these, which makes this one all the more exceptional. Hopefully, I still have one more task to complete. I’m eager for more, which is quite thrilling… It’s great to be back in the top 100, and I’m hoping it’s a stepping stone to re-entering and giving it my all.”
Boulter’s powerful, flat hitting is suited to grass, and she won a first set interrupted by a rain delay before battling back from 4-1 down in the second to defeat Watson, who has also had a confidence-boosting week. Boulter and Dart hugged after Boulter’s celebration at the net.
By winning, Boulter can reach a career-high top 80 ranking.
But Burrage, the No. 3 British player, is having the finest week of her career and is again impressed with the quality of her groundstrokes in defeating the incredibly seasoned Cornet.
Burrage stated, “I did not anticipate this before this week.” “However, I am extremely pleased with my performance today. Tomorrow is going to be a fantastic day. What an incredible tournament it was for both of us.” The 24-year-old will enter the top 100 and overtake Boulter as British No. 1 if she wins the prize.
In a match that featured ten breaks of serve, Burrage capitalized at crucial moments against a highly skilled grass-court player to end Iga Swiatek’s 37-match unbeaten streak at Wimbledon last summer.
Boulter added, “We may have released some negative information prematurely. It’s easy to focus on one or two tournaments. But I believe we’re in a fantastic position overall, and I’m pleased to say so and stand by it.
Regardless of who wins on Sunday, another British player will follow in the footsteps of Johanna Konta and the late Elena Baltacha, in whose honor the tournament’s trophy is named.
