Katie Boulter is writing a remarkable comeback story this week at the WTA Ostrava Open, surging into the final with a dominant display that has tennis fans and pundits alike buzzing. The 29-year-old Brit, who endured a rough patch in 2025 and tumbled out of the world’s top 100, has rediscovered her spark and is now just one match away from a long-awaited title. Her straight-sets victory over American Katie Volynets in the semifinals on February 6, 2026, capped a week of inspired tennis and signaled that Boulter is well and truly back in business.
It’s been quite the journey for Boulter, who just a few months ago saw her ranking slip to 100th by the time of the Australian Open in January. She barely made it into the main draw and suffered a stinging first-round exit at the hands of Belinda Bencic. The disappointment could have been crushing, but Boulter’s response has been nothing short of impressive. "I see this as a full reset for me, I’m starting again," she explained recently, reflecting on her new approach to the season. "I’m not expecting miracles this week. I’m not expecting miracles next week. It’s going to be a process. Everything is fresh and exciting again."
That fresh energy has been on full display in Ostrava. Boulter’s semifinal clash with Volynets was expected to be a stern test, but she raced through the match with a 6-1, 6-3 win—her third consecutive victory in straight sets this week. The Brit took control early, pocketing the first set in just over half an hour. Even as Volynets found her rhythm in the second set, Boulter’s serve and aggressive play kept her firmly in command. After the match, a smiling Boulter said, "I would have liked to have done it on the first match point, not the second, so no, I’m never satisfied, but obviously, really pleased with today. I feel like she really stepped off in the second, and I tried to match it as much as I could, and keep trusting myself, and just keep going for it no matter what, and it paid off in the end."
Her serve, often a source of frustration last year, was a key weapon throughout the semifinal. Boulter reflected on her improvement, admitting, "Yeah, I mean, I think that was huge. Obviously, there were two breaks before that in the second set, and it could have easily shifted the momentum, and I just tried to make sure that I didn’t allow that to happen as much as I possibly could, and kept fighting, and I think I served well to get myself out of trouble there, and, yeah, I’m just very pleased with it."
Boulter’s path to the final has been a testament to her renewed confidence and hard work. Earlier in the week, she dispatched home favorite Linda Fruhvirtova 6-3, 6-2, striking 20 winners and winning 18 of 23 first-service points in a match that lasted just 68 minutes. That win propelled her to No. 110 in the live rankings and marked her first semifinal appearance since clinching the Paris Challenger title in May 2025. Notably, her semifinal run coincided with fellow Brit Emma Raducanu reaching the last four at the Transylvania Open, making it the first time since the 2024 Lexus Nottingham Open that two British women made WTA semifinals in the same week.
This resurgence comes after some significant changes off the court. Boulter parted ways with long-time coach Biljana Veselinovic and brought Michael Joyce on board, a move that appears to be paying off handsomely. She even took a moment after her semifinal win to wish her coach a happy birthday, joking, "It’s Micky [Joyce’s] birthday tomorrow and I’m going to try and get him a present—a trophy! We’re going to leave it all on the line."
For Boulter, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of renewal both on and off the court. She’s spoken openly about her personal life, revealing plans to marry fellow tennis star Alex de Minaur. "Seeing January 1, 2026 was a good start. I’m getting married this year. 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," she shared. The sense of optimism and excitement is palpable, and it’s translating into her tennis.
Her run in Ostrava is also a significant step in her quest to rejoin the elite ranks of the sport. Boulter’s live ranking has climbed to No. 101, and a title here would see her return to the top 100—a crucial milestone for direct entry into the biggest tournaments. "I’m eager to get out and play loads of matches. I’m not precious about playing qualifying in any tournaments. I’m actually very excited to go and play some tournaments, even lower ones," she said, underscoring her commitment to rebuilding her career from the ground up.
The semifinal against Volynets was their first-ever meeting, adding a layer of intrigue to the contest. Volynets, ranked No. 96 in the world, had reached the last four after a grueling 2-hour, 26-minute battle against Alycia Parks. But Boulter’s relentless aggression and composure proved too much for the American. According to predictive models, Boulter was a slight favorite, with a 57% chance of winning, and she certainly lived up to the billing.
As the Ostrava Open final looms, Boulter stands on the brink of her first title in nearly two years—a potential crowning achievement in her comeback campaign. Regardless of the outcome, her performances this week have already sent a clear message: Katie Boulter is back, and she’s ready to challenge the best on tour once again.
With the final set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports, tennis fans will be watching closely to see if Boulter can complete her fairytale run. One thing’s for sure—after the trials and tribulations of last year, she’s savoring every moment. The British star’s journey in Ostrava has been a masterclass in resilience, and as she prepares for the title showdown, the tennis world can’t help but wonder: is this just the beginning of a new chapter for Katie Boulter?