Tearful Katie Boulter retires from Hong Kong Open with injury

Katie Boulter retired from the Hong Kong Open in tears as she teeters on the brink of dropping out of the world’s top 100 in what is proving to be a season to forget for the Briton.

The story of Boulter’s 2025 has been a battle for consistency. Since Wimbledon in June, she has only won three tour-level matches.

The latest exit is a severe blow to her chances of securing entry to the Australian Open. She had a considerable number of world-ranking points to defend, having been a runner-up in Hong Kong last year.

In 2024, Boulter reached a career high of No 23 in the world rankings, and re-established herself as the British No 1. But when the rankings update on Monday, she will drop to her lowest for over two years.

At 6-4, 2-1 down to world No 51 Alexandra Eala and already wearing strapping on her leg, Boulter was forced to pull out with an injury that may yet spell the end of her season.

“I’m a little out of words,” Eala said. “I think this time of the year is tough moments for a lot of players, physically and mentally, being the end of the season.

“I hope that Katie can take this time to recover and just look back at her season proudly.”

A STUNNING drop shot from Alexandra Eala 🤩#PHKTO2025pic.twitter.com/2NtEPlia93

— wta (@WTA) October 28, 2025

In her last 21 main-draw matches, Boulter has managed to claim just eight victories, and since the Nottingham Open quarter-final in June has not progressed to the third round in any tournament.

With the November 17 cut off for Australian Open entry looming, Boulter had scheduled to appear at the Austin 125 in Texas, but should her injury problems continue, she faces an early trip to Melbourne and a battle through qualifying.

Missing the cut would be a blow to her next year, although three British women will comfortably finish in the world’s top 100 and make the cut.

Emma Raducanu is on course for a seeded place with her rank of 29th in the world, with Sonay Kartal (No 66) and Francesca Jones (No 71) also expected to feature.

Other high-profile players have retired because of injury and decided to end their 2025 season early, including Raducanu and Jack Draper.

After two health-related exits in 10 days in Wuhan and Ningo, Raducanu elected to finish her year early, rather than playing in Tokyo and Hong Kong.