Watson is setting her sights high
BEFORE Heather Watson halted her four-year title drought out in Acapulco, the Guernsey star had been considering quitting tennis altogether.
Watson admitted to this sad reality following her great win at the Mexican Open and credited her recent upturn in results to increased happiness on and off the court.
That heavily-desired WTA level victory has lifted her world ranking right back up to No. 49.
Watson had not won a WTA title since the Monterrey Open in 2016 and the resurgent 27-year-old, who now sits only 11 places adrift of her all-time career high, spoke about the thoughts that had troubled her in the years in-between.
‘I thought I wasn’t doing good enough, nor getting the satisfaction or results, so why continue to suffer through it?’ said Watson.
‘I was pretty low. I was thinking of stopping tennis. You have those thoughts and I wasn’t serious about it.’
After starting the year outside the world top 100, Watson has made quite the jump in the rankings.
‘I am loving life right now,’ said the Sarnian, whose relationship with Yeovil Town footballer Courtney Duffus has also attracted some national media attention.
‘In the long run, I need to be happy off the court to be successful on the court.
‘I’ve been loving [tennis] these past eight months.
‘I have been so consistent – more consistent than I have been in my career.’
Watson had earlier identified her big aim for the season as the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games – now a much more vivid possibility given her improved ranking.
The Sarnian also has key ambitions for the remaining three Grand Slams this year, having never gone beyond the third round previously.
‘My goal every year is to win WTA titles. I have one now, so the goal is to get another one and I want to make it into at least the fourth round of a Grand Slam.’
