Boulter feels positive after hectic schedule

KATIE Boulter is feeling like herself again after attributing a difficult summer to overwork.

- By ELEANOR CROOKS, PA

The 29-year-old lost four matches in a row for the first time in four-and-a-half years before stopping the rot in Cleveland earlier this week.

Boulter pulled off one of the best wins of her career in the first round of Wimbledon against Paula Badosa but crashed out in round two to lucky loser Solana Sierra and went on to lose her opening matches at the WTA events in Washington, Montreal and Cincinnati.

She cited a hectic schedule over the past couple of years, including prioritising representing Britain at the Olympics and in the Billie Jean King Cup, for her struggles.

"The times that I should have had periods of break, I don’t really feel like I chose myself," said Boulter.

"I kind of chose other things bigger than myself. And I think that’s why I ended up at this point a few weeks ago where I was struggling a bit.

"It's been a long couple of years. There’s a lot of changes on tour.