Historic Day at Queen’s Club as Raducanu and Boulter Shine in Doubles
In a momentous day for women’s tennis at Queen’s Club, British duo Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter took to the court to play their first doubles match together, marking a significant milestone in the tournament’s history. The pair, affectionately dubbed "Boultercanu" by the press, delighted a packed crowd on court one with a convincing 6-4, 6-2 victory over China’s Jiang Xinyu and Taiwan’s Wu Fang-hsien.
According to The Guardian, moments before Raducanu and Boulter’s match, a woman carrying an empty Pimm’s jug was told by a steward that she would have to queue if she left her seat, highlighting the high demand for tickets to see the British pair in action. The decision to play the match on court one, rather than the Andy Murray Arena, was reportedly due to contractual issues obliging the WTA to put predominately singles matches on the main court. A spokesperson for the tournament explained that this was the reason for the match not being played on the larger Andy Murray Arena, which holds 7,700 seats.
The duo’s on-court chemistry was evident throughout the match, with Raducanu and Boulter sharing laughs, high-fives, and jokes. When asked about their potential doubles partnership at Wimbledon, Raducanu played it cautiously, stating, "We’re just going to keep trying to do as best as we can this week and take it from there." However, Boulter interjected with a smile, "Scrap what she said… We’re going for the Wimbledon title." Raducanu added, "I was actually very nervous before the match. Probably more nervous than the singles, because I just didn’t really necessarily know what to do. But Katie made me feel so comfortable, and I’m just so pleased to get a win on the board."
The match was not without its controversies, however. Fans who had booked tickets for the Andy Murray Arena were left disappointed, with many unable to watch the match due to the limited capacity on court one. "I think it is very swear-word annoying," said spectator Helen Milliner. "I booked tickets for the Andy Murray Arena months ago, and was hoping to see Radders and Katie on there, especially given it is such a historic day."
Despite the disappointment, Raducanu and Boulter’s performance was a resounding success, with the pair showcasing their skills and chemistry on the court. Raducanu praised the intimate setting, saying, "I love playing on those smaller, outside courts where you really feel the support and the crowd gets into it." The crowd was able to get up close and personal with the players, with Raducanu even stopping to chat with spectators during the match.
In other news, Sonay Kartal made history by becoming the first British player to take to the Andy Murray Arena, where she defeated Daria Kasatkina 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. Kartal said, "I was excited to be the first Brit on the Andy Murray Arena… I think it’s an incredible court and the packed crowd was right behind me exactly when I needed it. I loved every second. It was super special."
The tournament has also introduced several innovations, including the use of pre-recorded voices to call out "out" balls, and a colour-coded sticker system to manage crowd movement during play. The system, which features green, orange, and red stickers, allows spectators to know when they can leave their seats without disrupting the play.
Looking ahead, Raducanu and Boulter will both be in action in the singles on Tuesday, with Boulter facing Ajla Tomljanovic and Raducanu taking on Cristina Bucșa. Both matches will be played on the Andy Murray Arena, providing an opportunity for fans to see the British duo in action on the main court. With their impressive doubles performance, Raducanu and Boulter have set the stage for an exciting singles campaign at Queen’s Club.
This article was originally published by The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jun/09/emma-raducanu-katie-boulter-queens-club-womens-tennis
