Leicester tennis star Katie Boulter is living the dream at her Olympic debut

There may not be a Team GB athlete more excited to be at the Olympics than Katie Boulter.

The Leicester tennis star is no stranger to the sport’s biggest stages, making Wimbledon her home and rubbing shoulders with the world’s best.

But being part of something bigger and representing Team GB, who will compete in 24 sports in Paris, really tugged at Boulter’s heartstrings during his few days in the Olympic Village.

“It was unbelievable,” Boulter said. “He was manic; I don’t even have words for it right now. It was far beyond anything I ever expected.

“I always knew how well everyone talked about it, I wanted to be a part of it, I watched it and immersed myself in it, but this feeling I have this week was something else.

“It’s definitely going to give me a lot of motivation for next year and I’m loving every minute of it.”

Boulter played some of the best tennis of her career while representing Great Britain, playing a key role in leading her country to qualification for the 2019 and 2023 Billie Jean King Cup play-offs and helping to secure a place in last year’s final.

The 27-year-old found the Games a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of tour life and hopes to raise her level again in GB colours.

“It’s extremely different from what we’re used to,” she said. “Team GB have come together extremely well and it’s such a nice feeling to know that everyone has got your back.

“Touring is a fast-paced life and I enjoy every minute of it, but this feels like it’s not so much stress, it’s about throwing yourself into different situations, meeting other athletes and learning from They. We are very different in our professions, but we are all the same inside, and the most beautiful thing for me was talking to other athletes and hearing their perspectives.”

Boulter i is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on the UK National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, enabling them to train full-time, have access to the world’s best coaches and receive medical support from pioneering – which was vital in their road to Paris 2024. Games.

Boulter was drawn against Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in the first round of the women’s singles event.

The tennis competitions in Paris will be held on the clay of Roland Garros, the surface on which Boulter played his first full season this year.

“As we all know, clay is not my favorite surface in the world,” she said. “I learned what I needed to do this season and how I wanted to get better with it.

“It was a challenge for me and I improved so much and my level was extremely good until the end of the season.

“I feel like I’m making progress, but I’m very realistic, I’m still not where I want to be, I don’t think I’m going to play the best tennis I’ll ever play.

“I chose to play in the Olympics because of how incredible this event is and it’s something that has inspired me since I was a kid.”

Boulter will also compete in the women’s doubles alongside Heather Watson, with the pair opening against Germany’s Angelique Kerber and Laura Seigemund.

Watson is far from new to the Olympic scene, having competed at London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

“Being here with Heather made everything even better,” Boulter said. “She is an incredible lady. He shows me the ropes and has such a big heart.

“I have so much respect for what she has done in this sport over the years.”

With over £30m a week raised for Good Causes, including vital funding for elite and grassroots sport, National Lottery players support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes to live their dreams and make the nation proud, providing more opportunities for people to take advantage of. part in sports. To learn more visit: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk