Katie Boulter has declared that Emma Raducanu shall be acquired “with open arms” by her Nice Britain teammates as she rejoins the Billie Jean King Cup squad. The younger tennis sensation is ready to play solely her second tie for her nation this week in France, following a two-year hole since her debut towards the Czech Republic.
Raducanu’s absence from subsequent ties was because of damage setbacks, and he or she hinted through the Australian Open that her well being could be her predominant focus this season, influencing her choice to take part in group occasions.
Nevertheless, with the upcoming tie being performed on indoor clay mirroring the floor of her forthcoming WTA match in Stuttgart, Raducanu will unite with Boulter, Harriet Dart, Heather Watson and newcomer Francesca Jones in Le Portel.
Boulter, representing Lexus as a model ambassador, expressed her enthusiasm to PA, saying: “I am very happy. We have missed her. We love having her again.”
She emphasised the significance of Raducanu’s well-being, including: “Clearly the primary factor is that she’s wholesome. I’ve at all times stated it for myself and it is my largest want for her as properly is that she will be able to keep as wholesome as attainable. We will be welcoming her with open arms for certain.”
Regardless of being ranked 302nd, making her the lowest-ranked participant in Anne Keothavong’s group, with Boulter at 28 and Dart inside the high 100, it will come as a big shock if Raducanu had been to not play within the upcoming tie on Friday and Saturday.
Raducanu confirmed potential on her clay debut two years in the past, profitable one among two matches, regardless of the floor being a conventional stumbling block for British expertise.
Group GB faces an uphill battle within the Billie Jean King Cup, particularly after final 12 months’s defeat to France on Coventry’s laborious courts.
Led by world quantity 23 Caroline Garcia, who lately triumphed over Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka in Miami, the French group poses a formidable problem. Boulter admitted: “It is a brutal match-up.”
Nevertheless, she stays optimistic, saying: “We have already been on this place earlier than and we had it at house. I feel if something it might assist us, we’re utterly the underdogs. I feel we have a free swing.”
Boulter acknowledged Garcia’s type however remained hopeful: “Garcia is clearly enjoying some superb tennis proper now. Nevertheless it’s one other Billie Jean King Cup tie, something can occur.”
Regardless of not favouring clay, Boulter is raring to compete: “We have to maintain it very reasonable, it is everybody’s first week on clay. It is not my favorite floor however I am very excited to get on it. I feel we’ll come collectively as a group and preserve attempting to push one another and I am certain we’ll play some actually good tennis.”
Britain’s chances are high bolstered by Raducanu and the ascent of Boulter, who broke into the highest 30 and claimed her second WTA Tour title in San Diego, defeating extra top-50 gamers within the first quarter of 2024 than ever earlier than.
“It has been a bit of little bit of a whirlwind,” Boulter admitted. “In some facets I am shocked, in different facets I am not shocked in any respect, which exhibits that I’ve actually put lots of work in and I really feel like I am getting into the fitting route.
“I’m very reasonable on the similar time. Not every thing’s going to click on each week. I feel that is the place, going into the subsequent a part of the season (on clay), I’ve bought a free swing, as a result of it is clearly one thing I am not used to.
“It is one thing recent and thrilling however this final month has been a large, large leap for me.”
The victorious group from the match will safe a spot on the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Seville in November.