Great Britain's Katie Boulter has spoken of her hope that the GB women's team can find a rich vein of form in the Billie Jean King Cup finals in Glasgow this week.
They go into the tournament finals as underdogs, having only qualified due to the finals being held on home soil. But because of this, Boulter is hopeful that the team can channel that same under-the-radar mentality that served Emma Raducanu so well when winning the US Open as an unseeded qualifier last year.
The former US Open champion had to withdraw from the event due to a wrist injury. Speaking ahead of the finals in Glasgow this week, Boulter acknowledged the loss this will be for the team.
"She’s a huge asset to our team and of course, we all wish her well," Boulter said. "Health is the priority and I hope she gets better. But it’s time for the girls to step up and I know they will. I have great belief in every single one of them. With a home crowd behind us, you never know what can happen."
Despite Raducanu's absence, ten-time ITF challenger titlist Boulter believes that the team have a great opportunity to turn this to their advantage.
"We love an underdog. Let’s hope we can bring a bit of Emma Raducanu magic to Billie Jean King Cup. We have no pressure, we have nothing to lose at all. I think she’s changed everything. I think she’s given everyone a little glimmer of what it takes and also what can happen. I think everyone in the building is humming a little bit off that buzz. It gives them that hope that it can be them," said the current British No. 5.
National team tournaments held in Glasgow have produced a vociferous atmosphere in the past. With a talented group who pose the threat of being underestimated by more established teams, Boulter and her compatriots might not quite be the soft touch many may be expecting.
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