Katie Boult says Emma Raducanu will be welcomed back to England’s Billie Jean Gold Cup squad “with open arms”.
The former U.S. Open champion will play her second match with the national team in France this week, two years after making her debut against the Czech Republic.
Raducanu, who is unable to compete due to injury, said at the Australian Open that she would prioritize her health when considering whether to compete this year.
However, Raducanu will compete on indoor clay courts ahead of next week’s WTA Championships in Stuttgart, where she will play Bolt, Harriet Dutt, Heather Watson and debutant Francis Car Jones competes in Le Portel together.
“I’m very happy,” Bolt said. “We miss her. We love having her back.
“Obviously, the first thing is that she’s healthy. I’ve always said this to myself, my biggest wish for her is that she stays as healthy as possible. We’ll definitely welcome her with open arms.”
Raducanu is ranked 302nd and is the lowest ranked member of Anne Keothavong’s team, Boulter is ranked 28th and Dart is also in the top 100 but if she is on Friday And being on the bench for Saturday’s game would be a big surprise.
Raducanu won one of two matches in her debut and showed her potential two years ago on clay, traditionally the weakest surface for British players.
Cosavon’s side are undoubtedly at a disadvantage, especially after losing to France at the same stage on hard courts in Coventry last year. The home team is led by world number 23 Caroline Garcia, who recently defeated Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka at the Miami Open to reach the quarter-finals. In the final, Bolt said: “It was a brutal showdown.”
Raducanu’s emergence is a boost for Britain compared to last year, as is Bolt’s meteoric rise, with the 27-year-old breaking into the top 30 for the first time.
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The Leicestershire player won her second and biggest WTA Tour title at the San Diego Open last month and has won more matches against top 50 opponents in the first three months of 2024 than she has in her career It will be more than the rest of his career combined.
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind,” Bolt said. “In some ways I’m surprised, in other ways I’m not surprised at all, which shows that I’ve really put in a lot of work and I feel like I’m moving in the right direction.”
The winner of the tie will qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup final in Seville in November.
