Katie Boulter described her experience of facing Roger Federer as “daunting,” not due to any negative feelings about the Swiss legend, but because she feared that a poor performance might lead him to form a negative opinion about her game. The current top-ranked British female tennis player represented her country at the Hopman Cup at the start of the 2019 season.
In their second match of the event, Boulter and Cameron Norrie competed against Federer and Belinda Bencic in a mixed doubles showdown. The Swiss duo, favored to win, secured a straight-set victory with scores of 4-3 (4) and 4-1.
Reflecting on the match during an interview with Sky Sports, Boulter, now 27, said, “Actually, I got a chance to face Federer in the Hopman Cup. It was daunting. I was so excited for it, but the moment I walked out on court, I realized I actually had to play tennis. I thought he might judge me, but it was really fun.”
Despite not winning a set, Boulter described the experience of sharing the court with the eight-time Wimbledon champion as “surreal.” She recalled, “Receiving his serve isn’t something I ever thought would happen in my career. I actually hit him with a volley, which was a bit awkward, but he took it in good spirits!”
Since that match, Boulter has made significant improvements to her game and has enjoyed considerable success. Looking ahead, she is set to begin her 2025 season by representing Great Britain at the United Cup, which kicks off on December 27th.
Related topics
- Where Will the Australian Open Be Televised
- What Is the Main Arena in the Australian Open
- What Does Ground Pass Included Australian Open
