British tennis player Katie Boulter has embarked on a major career reset, appointing Maria Sharapova's former coach Michael Joyce in a bid to climb back up the WTA rankings after a dismal 2025 season.
A New Coaching Partnership for a Fresh Start
Boulter confirmed the split from her longtime coach Biljana Veselinovic at the end of last year, a season which saw her ranking fall dramatically from a career-high of world number 23 to her current position of 113. She moved quickly to secure the services of Michael Joyce, a respected figure on tour whose previous clients include 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. He's someone that I didn't really get to know that much until I spent time with him on court, and I really like his style."
She emphasised the positive impact of the new setup, describing the environment as calm and a welcome change from the struggles of the previous year. "I feel like having a new coach, having a new setup, everything is kind of fresh and exciting again," she added. "Whereas I feel like I was dragging my feet a little bit at the end of last year."
Stressful Qualification and a Daunting Draw
Boulter's path to the Australian Open main draw was fraught with tension. Until the last moment, it appeared she would have to compete in the qualifying tournament. She was the highest-ranked player on the qualifying entry list the day the draw was made and only learned of her direct entry into the main draw at 5pm once it was released. "Saturday and Sunday were pretty stressful, to be completely honest," she admitted.
That slice of luck, however, was not repeated in the main draw ceremony. Boulter now faces a formidable first-round challenge against the in-form 10th seed Belinda Bencic. The Swiss player arrives in Melbourne having won all five of her singles matches at the recent United Cup, including a victory over world number one Iga Swiatek.
Ever the optimist, Boulter is choosing to see the match as a free hit. "For me it's another opportunity. I'm just going to go out and swing," she stated. "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 Fuelling Professional Ambition
Off the court, Boulter has a significant personal milestone to look forward to in 2026: her marriage to fellow tennis professional Alex de Minaur. She believes this happy event will positively influence her career.
"I'm getting married this year," Boulter 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."
Norrie Leads British Charge in Melbourne
In the absence of Jack Draper, Cameron Norrie will be the highest-ranked British player at the Australian Open. This marks another milestone in his own resurgent 2025 season, which saw him rocket from world number 91 to his current position of 26 in the ATP rankings.
Norrie's remarkable year included a run to the Wimbledon quarter-finals and a headline-grabbing victory over world number one Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Masters. "It was definitely looking difficult at one point in the year, but we made some good changes with my team," Norrie reflected. "To finish the year, especially indoors where typically I've not really had the best results to beat a world No 1 like Alcaraz in the Masters 1000, was massive."
Norrie, seeded 26th, will begin his Australian Open campaign against France's Benjamin Bonzi.
