There may not be a Team GB athlete more excited to be at the Olympics than Katie Boulter.

The Leicester tennis star is no stranger to the biggest stages in sport, making the grounds at Wimbledon her home and rubbing shoulders with the world’s best.

But being part of something bigger and representing Team GB, who will compete in 24 sports in Paris, has truly tugged on Boulter’s heartstrings in the few days she has spent in the Olympic Village.

“It has been incredible,” said Boulter. “It has been manic; I don’t even have the words for it right now. It has been way above anything I ever expected.

“I always knew how highly everyone talked about it, I wanted to be a part of it, I’ve watched it and immersed myself in it, but this feeling I’m getting this week has been something else.

“It’s definitely going to give me a lot of motivation for the next year and I’m loving every minute of it.”

Boulter has played some of the best tennis of her career while representing Great Britain, playing a pivotal role in leading her country to qualification in the 2019 and 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Play-Offs and helping to secure a spot in the Finals last year.

The 27-year-old has found the Games to be a refreshing break from the grind of life on tour and hopes to raise her level once again in GB colours.

“It’s extremely different to what we’re used to,” she said. “Team GB has come together extremely well and it’s such a nice feeling to know everyone has got your back.

“The tour is a fast-paced life and I enjoy every minute of that, but this feels like there isn’t that much stress, it’s about throwing yourself into different situations, meeting other athletes and learning from them. We’re very different in our professions but we’re all the same inside and the nicest thing for me has been talking to other athletes and hearing their perspectives.”

Boulter is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing them to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – which has been vital on their pathway to the Paris 2024 Games. 

Boulter has been drawn against Slovakian Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in the first round of the women’s singles.

Tennis competitions in Paris will take place on the clay of Roland Garros, a surface on which Boulter played her first full season this year.

“As we all know, clay is not my favourite surface in the world,” she said. “I learned what I needed to do this season and how I wanted to get better with it.

“It was a challenge to me, and I improved so much, and my level was extremely good by the end of the season.

“I feel like I’m making progress but I’m very realistic, I’m not where I want to be yet, I don’t think I’m going to play the best tennis I’m ever going to play.

“I made the choice to play the Olympics because of how incredible this event is and it’s something that has inspired me since I was a child.”

Boulter will also compete in the women’s doubles alongside Heather Watson, with the pair opening up against Angelique Kerber and Laura Seigemund of Germany.

Watson is far from new to the Olympic stage having competed at London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020.

“Being here with Heather has made it even better,” said Boulter. “She’s an incredible lady. She’s showing me the ropes and she has got such a great heart.

“I’ve got so much respect for what she’s done in the sport over the years.”

With more than £30M a week raised for Good Causes, including vital funding into elite and grassroots sport, National Lottery players support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes to live their dreams and make the nation proud, as well as providing more opportunities for people to take part in sport.  To find out more visit: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk