Katie Boulter has learned to relish the challenge of clay as she bids to take another major step forward at the Madrid Open.
For much of her career, the former British number one actively avoided the surface, but it provided an unexpected fillip in a difficult 2025 and Boulter is determined to keep her improvement going.
Flying the British flag alone in the women’s singles in the absence of Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal, Boulter began her campaign in confident fashion in the Spanish capital with a 6-4 6-2 victory over Taylor Townsend.
“I wouldn’t say it’s my favourite thing in the world,” said Boulter. “I do take challenges on a lot, I enjoy the challenge, I enjoy not being good at something and trying to work on it and get better at it.
“That aspect of it is like a game in my mind and that’s how I think I’m sort of seeing it this time. There were other times when I haven’t been too open to clay and I haven’t allowed myself to even try.
“I think this time, after last year’s season, I feel like I can really play some good stuff. My relationship’s improving, I’ve still got a long way to go – to beat some of the top players I need to improve.
“I’ve got another test coming up so I’m excited to try and see where my level’s at.”
That test will come on Friday against fifth seed Jessica Pegula, where victory would be by a huge margin her best ever result on clay.
Currently her biggest win on the surface came last week against 33rd-ranked Jaqueline Cristian in Rouen, where she made her first tour-level quarter-final on clay having unexpectedly won a WTA 125 event – the level below the main tour – in Paris last spring.
“What’s pretty hilarious is that last year my clay season was my best,” said Boulter. “It’s not an easy surface so I’ve got to keep trying to love it and hope it loves me back.”
The 29-year-old, meanwhile, will also be in doubles action in an eye-catching partnership with Venus Williams.
Boulter posed the question to the veteran American and was delighted to receive a positive response.
“I put myself out there,” she said. “With someone like that you kind of hope they’ll say yes but you just never know. I’m very excited that she did say yes.
“I’m so excited. What an opportunity for me to play with an absolute icon. I haven’t even got words for it. She’s still out here playing and so inspiring for people like me, especially having watched her growing up.
“I think the little girl who watched her on TV as a kid is going to be screaming on that tennis court. I’m going to enjoy every minute of it. I can’t wait to get out there. It’s an honour to play with her.”
