Professional sport brings glory, but it also brings hardships. It’s not always hunky dory for the players who often have to deal with negativity amid growing fame. And the negativity can sometimes reach their social media inbox as well. Katie Boulter marked an end to her season after losing the title match against Diana Shnaider in Hong Kong. While she plans to rest and prepare, she has opened up about receiving depressing messages on social media.

A while back, Katie Boulter had talked about a frightening incident in Queens where she and her partner, Alex de Minaur, were followed by someone in a car. “At one point, we stopped and walked a few streets, but we didn’t lose this person,” she said. “I was with Alex, so I wasn’t scared, but it wasn’t comfortable,” she said.

Now she has revealed another alarming incident that occurred during the Nottingham tournament. Boulter received threats from a fan who messaged her, warning he would harm her if she stepped outside. “I called the WTA straight away, and security found the author of the message. He was in the tennis complex,” Boulter explained. She, however, praised the WTA’s security efforts, saying, “They are doing everything they can to protect us, and it’s working well.”

Boulter also pointed out that female tennis players often face such troubling situations. She mentioned Emma Raducanu’s ordeal in 2022, where a fan repeatedly targeted her at her home, and was eventually issued a restraining order.

Katie Boulter, at 28 years of age, is seemingly enjoying the best period of her tennis career. The British player achieved two significant victories on the WTA tour this year, marking her most successful year yet. She claimed the WTA 250 title in Nottingham on grass and followed it up with a win at the WTA 500 in San Diego on hard courts. Although these victories showcase her growing hold, Grand Slam success still remains away. She has never advanced past the third round in Slams.

Boulter’s excellent performance in 2024 also translated into a career-high WTA ranking. She finished the year in 24th place, narrowly missing her peak position of 23rd, which she achieved briefly in November. Her rise to the top of British women’s tennis has increased attention and expectations. Reflecting on that, Boulter shared, “I function better in the shadows, but that is becoming increasingly difficult.”

Katie Boulter recently opened up about her 2024 season and talked about her goals for the upcoming 2025 season as well.

Katie Boulter reflects on her breakthrough season and future goals

Katie Boulter described 2024 as a transformative year in her career. Talking to Sky Sports’ Gigi Salmon, she reflected on her hard work. The British No. 1 celebrated titles in Nottingham and San Diego, along with a career-high WTA ranking of No. 23. She closed the season with strong performances, including a semi-final run at the WTA 500 in Tokyo and reaching the final in Hong Kong, her third tour-level final of the year.

Boulter credited her team for their relentless support and guidance. “I’ve been working so hard daily to put myself in that position, and for it to come through and not have any injuries, I think that’s full credit to my team. They’ve been pushing me past my points for a very long time now, and it’s starting to show now,” she shared.

Boulter highlighted how maintaining her physical health was key to her success this year. “A pivotal point for me was knowing I could get through a full season,” she said. She emphasized the importance of staying injury-free and the efforts required to achieve that.

“There haven’t been any injuries, but you know anything can happen, and I really do not take that for granted,” Boulter said. Reflecting on her improved fitness, she added, “It’s been a really great season for me physically, and I feel like I’m only getting stronger.” Looking ahead, Boulter aims to build on this foundation as she continues to evolve both on and off the court alongside her partner Alex de Minaur.

With a new season coming up, will Katie Boulter be able to overturn her misery and come back stronger? What are your thoughts on this? Do let us know in the comments below!