The Australian Open delivered a harsh start for British tennis fans as Katie Boulter bowed out in the first round of the women’s singles.
The Brit, who had become a fan favourite down under last year and earned the affectionate nickname “Aussie Kate,” fell to a 6-0, 7-5 defeat on Tuesday.
Her fiancé, Alex de Minaur, looked glum as cameras caught him watching from the stands in the Margaret Court Arena.
For Boulter, who had slipped to 113 in the world rankings, the draw proved brutal, seeing her face one of the hottest players on the women’s tour.
A Battle Against Formidable Opposition
Despite the straight-sets loss, Boulter showed some fight in the second set.
She started slowly, losing the first set in just 26 minutes, but managed to rally, keeping the score close at 7-5 before ultimately succumbing.
Her exit mirrored that of fellow Brit Sonay Kartal, who also fell in the opening round.
Boulter had hoped for a fresh start this season after a difficult 2025.
She switched coaches to American Michael Joyce and has drawn motivation from her upcoming wedding to De Minaur.
The Aussie star, meanwhile, had already claimed a first-round win in the men’s singles against Mackenzie McDonald, setting up his next clash with Serbian talent Hamad Medjedovic.
A Glimpse of Spark in the Second Set
The second set brought some hope for Boulter.
With the crowd rallying behind her, she found her rhythm, landing big forehands and threatening Bencic after breaking to trail 4-3.
But Bencic, riding some of the best form of her career, quickly regained control.
The Swiss player had recently defeated former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek to return to the top 10, just over a year after giving birth to daughter Bella.
After the match, Bencic praised the Australian crowds, saying, “I feel so comfortable here in Australia.
It’s been a pleasure playing in front of you guys in Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne. I really enjoyed it, and the energy is great.”
Life as a Touring Mom
Bencic also opened up about the challenges of being a mother on the tour, admitting that traveling with Bella adds a new layer to her career.
“It’s definitely starting to become challenging,” she said.
“Last year it was easier, but now she’s a little older.
Sometimes it’s tough—like on the plane!” She laughed at the thought, adding, “I’m sorry to anyone on the same plane as us! But it’s fun.
We’re doing more off-court activities, going to the zoo, the aquarium. I’m enjoying it more, and I can separate tennis from life a lot better.”
Sonay Kartal’s Disappointing Performance
Meanwhile, British number two Sonay Kartal admitted she had her worst match in years, falling 7-6(3), 6-1 to 31st seed Anna Kalinskaya.
Ranked 66th, Kartal showed promise early on but struggled as Kalinskaya’s consistent play and fewer errors took over.
Kartal explained her frustration: “It was not my finest match. My base level wasn’t there today, which I rely on.
If I could go back and play it again, I’d approach it completely differently. My level dipped to one of the lowest it’s been in years.
After Auckland, I felt good, I had been training well, and even the warm-up felt solid. Super disappointed, but the season is long, so I’m not dwelling too much on this.”
Looking Ahead
Despite these early exits for the British players, there is still excitement to come.
Emma Raducanu will take on Anastasia Potapova in the second round on Wednesday, giving fans another chance to cheer for a Brit in Melbourne.
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