Katie Boulter holds British honour after Raducanu Cluj loss, wins Ostrava Open with Tamara Korpatsch final win

Saturday, 07 February 2026 at 20:11

Katie Boulter has had a tumultuous 12 months to say the least but has rebounded under new coach Michael Joyce to claim the title at the Ostrava Open on Saturday evening defeating Tamara Korpatsch in the final.

Boulter was riding on top of the world this time last year after an incredible end to 2024 and was the top Brit by same distance but with injuries and points falling off her ranking, she has managed to go backwards. She fell out of the top 100 at the end of last season and even at one point looked likely to be playing qualifying for the Australian Open.

But she managed to steady the ship this week and is now hurtling back towards the top 80 in the world as she has targeted smaller events to get her form back after injury issues. After abductor problems, she had to decide ultimately at the back end of last year whether to try and play in smaller tournament and risk further problems or sit it out and have to build back.

She garnered some criticism from junctures for not heading to Angers and smaller events at the back end of the year being seen at Laura Robson's birthday party instead and some saying that she was taking her wedding planning more seriously than her tennis.

New coach fresh impetus

But a great week has silenced the doubters and she seems to be more happy as well when it comes to her coaching setup with Michael Joyce coming on board to replace her long time coach who she split with to start the year in search of fresh impetus.

"We're only a few weeks into business right now Mickey but we've got one in the bag. And it was on your birthday week. Massive week for you, 53 years old, big one, so that was your present to you. I hope we can keep doing a lot of work," quipped Boulter who was all smiles after her win.

It has been a great weekend for British tennis with Jack Draper and co winning through at the Davis Cup but Boulter in reality also did what Emma Raducanu couldn't with the latter losing out pretty easily to Sorana Cirstea in the final of the Transylvania Open.

Raducanu was well beaten in what was her first final since the US Open back in 2021 against the 35-year-old who is again playing some of the best tennis of her life when in reality she is retiring this year and should be going backwards if anything. That has been paid heed to as she continues to flourish.

As does Boulter as we head towards the next part of the Middle East swing and likely for Boulter more tournaments to build the confidence back up.

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