Woodhouse teen tennis sensation Katie Boulter has been given the chance to test herself against some of the world’s best with home advantage after receiving a wildcard to the Loughborough Aegon GB Pro-Series.
The $25k tournament, which runs from September 22nd to 28th, is part of the ITF Women’s Circuit which has produced the vast majority of the top WTA players – all but two on the WTA rankings list at the start of the year had competed on the circuit.
And 17-year-old Boulter will get the chance to ruffle some feathers as she attempts to make the transition from promising junior, having made the quarter-finals of the junior US Open this year, to a pro player.
But Boulter will face stiff competition from both at home and abroad with Britain’s no.4 Sam Murray, ranked 167th in the world, and no.5 Tara Moore, who also recently cracked the top 200, also included in the main draw.
The valuable learning experience for the teenager will also include Turkish world no.138 Cagla Buyukakcay and former top 100 players with Grand-Slam experience in Valeria Savinykh, France’s Julie Coin and Renata Voracova – the defending champion.
Richard Joyner, Tournament Director, said: "It’s great to see Katie receive a main draw wild card. She is currently making the transition from junior to pro’s having gained her first pro ranking earlier this summer. I’m sure will be looking forward to competing at this prestigious event on home turf.
"The Women’s Singles final is scheduled for 2.00pm on Saturday 28 September, with the Tennis Leicestershire Junior Awards being held on court after the final.
"There is courtside seating for the final with over 400 spectators watching the 2012 final. With entry completely free for spectators, what better way to watch some of the world’s best tennis players and cheer on the British hopefuls?"