British tennis player Katie Boulter has turned to a high-profile new coach in a bid to reverse a dramatic slide in her fortunes, hiring Maria Sharapova's former mentor Michael Joyce ahead of the Australian Open.
A New Direction After a Difficult Season
Boulter's ranking fell from a career-high of world number 23 at the end of 2024 to 113 by the close of a dismal 2025 season. This steep decline prompted her to part ways with her long-time coach, Biljana Veselinovic, and seek a fresh perspective. She moved quickly to secure the services of Joyce, a respected figure on the tour known for his work with stars like Johanna Konta, Jessica Pegula, and Victoria Azarenka.
"Personally I always really liked him," Boulter said of her new coach. "I thought he's done a really good job with a lot of other players... I feel like he's been around a long time on tour. I really like his style." She emphasised the importance of a calm environment, stating the new setup has given her a renewed sense of excitement after feeling she was "dragging my feet" through injury struggles last year.
Main Draw Relief and a Daunting Opener
The 27-year-old faced considerable stress just days before the tournament, unsure if she would need to battle through qualifying. Boulter was the highest-ranked player on the qualifying entry list and only learned she had received a direct main draw place at 5pm on the Sunday the draw was released. "Saturday and Sunday were pretty stressful, to be completely honest," she admitted.
Her slice of luck, however, was short-lived. The draw handed her a formidable first-round challenge against the in-form 10th seed, Belinda Bencic, who recently defeated world number one Iga Swiatek at the United Cup. Boulter is embracing the underdog role: "I'm just going to go out and swing. I really don't think there's any pressure. I don't think there's anyone in this room that thinks I'm going to win that match. So I'm excited for it."
Personal Joy Fuels Professional Optimism
Off the court, Boulter has a significant personal milestone to look forward to, which she believes is fuelling her positive outlook. She is set to marry her fiancé, Australian star Alex de Minaur, later this year. "I'm getting married this year," she said. "It's going to be an unbelievable year, one of the best ones in my life, no matter what happens on the tennis court. I think for me that's already given me a positive push."
Meanwhile, in the men's draw, Cameron Norrie will be the highest-ranked British player at a grand slam following Jack Draper's absence. Norrie, seeded 26th, arrives in Melbourne after a resurgent 2025 that saw him climb from 91st to 26th in the world, highlighted by a Wimbledon quarter-final and a victory over Carlos Alcaraz in Paris. He begins his campaign against France's Benjamin Bonzi.
