British tennis star Katie Boulter played a pivotal role in the success of the women’s tournament at London’s Queen’s Club this year, as reported by The Guardian. Boulter achieved a career-highlight victory by defeating world No. 2 and reigning Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina to reach the semi-finals.
The tournament, returning to Queen’s Club after a 52-year absence, proved a massive success for the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). With over 70,000 tickets sold and 98% capacity maintained throughout the week, the women’s event drew significant attention, even as the concurrent men’s draw struggled with player injuries and a thinner field. The LTA also increased the women’s total prize purse to $1,915,000, representing a significant investment in the event’s longevity.
Alongside Boulter’s performance, the return of Serena Williams to doubles and a deep run by Emma Raducanu helped cement the tournament’s popularity. Organizers aim to establish the event as a permanent fixture in the British summer sporting calendar, noting that the women’s competition has already begun to rival the prestige and atmosphere of the established men’s event.