ROLAND GARROS

May 28, 2026

Katie Boulter

Press Conference

A. POTAPOVA/K. Boulter

5-7, 6-4, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Katie, a tough one out there today. You put up a great fight in the three-set battle. Give us your thoughts on your performance today.

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah, I thought it was a good match. I felt like I took it to her today. I'm much happier with the way I tried to play today. I think that side of things was really good. I think I showed what my strengths were and put myself in a great position to win the match.

I think physically I've got a lot to work on, but aside from that, I think I gave myself a shot and a chance, and I left it out there.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. How were you physically today? Obviously you said the other day that you were fatigued and maybe not feeling too well.

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah. Yeah, I mean, I made the decision yesterday to not practice. I thought it was probably the smartest, given the way that I was feeling.

I do think that I went through energy ups and downs. I gave so much on return of serve in the first set that actually when I was serving, I was struggling to hold my serve, and she was playing some great tennis, as well. Somehow squeaked it over the line in the first, but then felt like my energy really dipped to give her a bit more of a chance to get back in the match, and then found it again at 5-1.

Yeah, I think it was definitely highs and lows today, for sure. I think there were some energy dips and, you know, obviously I need to get rid of that, because it's very important not to have that.

Q. Getting this much time on court and the fact that, especially, I think you kind of really bothered her, I don't know if you felt that way, but I think she was getting quite frustrated and it was really tough for her to win that one, so looking ahead, does it feel that you still have good confidence underneath you, especially going on to the grass?

KATIE BOULTER: 100%. Today the match was exactly what I wanted it to be. The result didn't go my way, but I felt like the type of tennis I was trying to play was miles better than the first round.

I think the way that I was aggressive, the way that I struck the ball today, I think was, yeah, I mean, some of the best I have on a clay court.

I think it kind of makes me realize every time that I play matches like that that I can compete with some of the better players. She's had one of the better clay court seasons that she's had.

Yeah, she's obviously very much in form right now, and the fact that I can bother her I think gives me confidence.

Look, if I was going to lose a match today, I'm glad I lost it that way.

Q. Your serve seemed to be causing some difficulties. I think it was in Miami you said you were only up to, was it 80% with your serve? I can't remember the exact percentage. Was it similar out there today?

KATIE BOULTER: No, look, I mean, I hit a few double faults. I've hit a couple of double faults in big moments, but at the same time, I think I'm also trying to improve my serve. I'm not necessarily holding back, and I'm not just trying to push the ball in the court and run. I think it's for the future of my serve.

I think a lot of my serve is physicality, and when my physicality isn't 100%, I do struggle on it, I struggle to get it up and over the net, even though I'm trying really hard to get up with my body. I think my serve is improving. I do think that obviously each type of surface you have to try and serve a different way, and I think that serving on a clay court is probably one of my hardest.

I'm really pleased with the way that it's going towards my goals. Obviously sometimes I do think it can cost me at times, but also I think there are times that it wins me a lot of points, and, you know, I think people are very quick to kind of look at the double faults and see free points, but at the same time, they figure out that sometimes when I commit to my second serve and get a free point off a missed return or something like that, it kind of evens itself out.

Yeah, of course I want to improve on my serve and keep working and getting it better and better, but again, it's a totally different ball game on the grass. I think it's more about using different kinds of variations and spins rather than necessarily trying to take pace off the first and get it in the court and use some height shape.

Yeah, for me, it's a work in progress. It's going to be good days, bad days. I think I'm pretty level-headed about it.

Q. We have heard today that Serena Williams is expected to come back to Queen's. Wonder if you heard about that, what that would mean for the sport as a whole, what it would mean for British tennis to play Queen's, and would you fancy playing doubles?

KATIE BOULTER: I mean, that would be, I would look forward to that personally myself. I mean, she's been a leader in our sport for a very long time. She's obviously had a kid, and to see mums come back as well is so inspirational. I think they don't get enough credit for what they do, and, you know, I mean, of course I would love to play doubles with her if I had the opportunity.

But yeah, I mean, is it confirmed that she's coming back?

Q. It's expected.

KATIE BOULTER: It's expected. I actually don't know. Yeah, I mean, it would be fantastic. It would be so fun to watch.

Yeah, great. I mean, it really helps our sport.

Q. Unfortunately, no British players left now in singles, but do you see reasons for optimism heading on to the grass?

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah, I mean, as I have kind of always said, I'm probably going to try and focus and stay in my own lane. I wish every single Brit the best opportunity they can get. I know everyone gets inspired over the grass. I do really hope that they can continue that momentum through the grass and for the rest of the year, as well.

I do think it's important that, you know, there is going to be a lot of British players doing great. I'm sure of it on the grass courts, but I really hope they continue that and play a full schedule and really get their rankings up.

I think everyone's got such great opportunities to do so. Obviously the grass courts are a very small season, it's only a few weeks. I wish it was much longer, but unfortunately it's not, and that is the reality of it.

Look, for me, I'm going on to the grass knowing that I've got four weeks to give myself everything I can, and, you know, do the best that I can, but I'm also going to keep physically working and get myself back and, you know, try and keep myself in a place that longevity is important too.

You know, it's a long season. There is about 10 weeks in Asia. There is another five or six in the U.S. So for me, you know, No. 1 is getting my health back. I'm excited to see how all the Brits do. I'm excited for some of my friends to be back, even talking to Jodie, she's going to be back in a couple of days, and she's very eager.

Yeah, I can't wait to support those girls. As I said, I have to stay in my own lane and keep my head down.

Q. What's your schedule on the grass?

KATIE BOULTER: At this point, I have entered Queen's, Nottingham, Eastbourne, Wimbledon. Yeah.