Major factor is motivating upbeat Watson

After being forced into a two-week hard quarantine when a fellow passenger tested positive for Covid, the Guernsey ace has been sharing her unconventional Australian Open preparations on social media.

Although she had to make do initially with virtually no equipment, she has since received an exercise bike, skipping rope, dumbbells, bands and a reaction ball.

Despite the hugely unusual circumstances, which prompted her to share a TikTok video of her performing a makeshift triathlon with a mock bathtub swim, she feels she has done ‘pretty well’ for motivation.

‘Considering I was so demotivated during the first lockdown in the UK, I’ve actually surprised myself a lot here,’ Watson said in a column for Metro.

‘Having a major tournament to prepare for is probably a factor behind that.’

Watson is now nearing the end of her quarantine, and several tournaments are on the agenda to conclude the Grand Slam preparations.

She admitted to just how rare such a lengthy break is for her.

‘The only times I’ve taken a full two weeks off before were forced,’ she told Metro.

‘Once when I had glandular fever and then during the first lockdown in March. Even then, though, I would do a little bit of hitting against a wall. It’s very unlike me. I even play on Christmas Day because I love playing tennis so much.’

But, overall, she reported feeling ‘pretty good in myself’.

‘I obviously put in a lot of work in the off-season and was the strongest I’ve ever been – I can now leg press more than 200kg – so it’s a shame that my preparation has been disrupted, but I can only do my best.’