Emma Raducanu’s Message to Katie Boulter Amid Heated British No. 1 Battle at Queen’s
Emma Raducanu sent a playful yet respectful message to Katie Boulter as their competition for the British No. 1 ranking intensified during the WTA 500 HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club on June 10, 2025. After breezing past Cristina Bucsa 6-1, 6-2 in singles, Raducanu provisionally overtook Boulter in the live rankings, sitting at No. 37 compared to Boulter’s No. 38, per Express.co.uk. Asked if her ranking edge meant she’d call the shots in their next doubles match, Raducanu laughed, saying, “No, she still has more doubles experience, so she can still tell me what to do, and I try to execute like yesterday,” acknowledging Boulter’s expertise despite their rivalry, per Express.co.uk.[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/2066998/Emma-Raducanu-Katie-Boulter-Queens)
The duo, dubbed “Boultercanu,” had secured a 6-4, 6-2 doubles win over Xinyu Jiang and Fang-Hsien Wu on June 9, showcasing infectious chemistry, per The Guardian. Raducanu described their partnership as “healthy competition,” noting, “The tournament is still young, and Katie can go on a rip this week… we have such a great relationship,” per Express.co.uk. Boulter, who fought through a three-set win over Ajla Tomljanovic (6-4, 3-6, 6-3), remains a formidable rival, with just 127 points separating them, per Express.co.uk
Raducanu’s singles victory, avenging a February 2025 loss to Bucsa, boosts her confidence for a potential Wimbledon seeding, while their doubles quarter-final against top seeds Lyudmyla Kichenok and Erin Routliffe looms, per Sky Sports. Fans on X, like @DExpress_Sport, highlighted the “heating up” rivalry, amplifying their dynamic as teammates and competitors. Their mutual respect, forged through Billie Jean King Cup camaraderie, strengthens British tennis, per The Independent.[]
