Several twists in the road on Watson’s way to SW19

This week the 32-year-old Sarnian has been competing in the Rothesay Open in Nottingham, her first grass court tennis action of the year.

In the past, Watson’s schedule has tended to take in further grass court tournaments in Birmingham and Eastbourne in preparation for the big one, namely Wimbledon.

However, this year there is a problem.

Not only is her current world ranking of 158 not good enough for direct entry into the singles at Wimbledon, it is also too low to make the cut at Birmingham or Eastbourne.

All of which means the next three weeks are one giant question mark in Watson’s diary.

‘I’m really unsure what’s ahead,’ she said following her impressive 4-6, 6-0, 6-4 win over Kayla Day of the USA in Nottingham on Monday.

‘The cut for Birmingham was so high this year, so I think I may be dependent on a wild card and how well this week [at Nottingham] goes with singles and doubles.’

If Birmingham fails to deliver, then Watson will head north to Yorkshire for the Lexus Ilkley Trophy, which begins on Saturday. It is not exactly Birmingham, or Eastbourne, but at least it is grass.

Her prospects beyond that depend on the powers that be at Wimbledon.

There are, in short, three ways that a player gets to compete in the singles at Wimbledon – they can qualify automatically through world ranking, they can come through the qualifying tournament, or they can be given a wild card by the All England Club itself.

With option one out of the question, Watson has, for the second year running, been left relying on the other two.

The qualifying tournament, which begins on 24 June, is notoriously brutal and there is no guarantee she would come through against players who have shown better form during 2024.

All of which leaves the wild card option.

Traditionally, wild cards are offered to players on the basis of past performances at Wimbledon, or to increase British interest.

Watson is a popular face not just around Wimbledon, but on the tennis circuit.

Last year she received a wild card only to crash out in the first round.

But in 2022 she reached the fourth round, having made it into the main draw on her world ranking.

Lest we forget, she also won the 2016 mixed doubles event at the All England Club alongside Henri Kontinen of Finland.

So Watson has a fair to good chance of receiving a wild card for 2024.

But, in the meantime, nothing can be taken for granted.

‘That’s out of my control,’ says Watson. ‘Wild cards are gifts, so it’s not something I think about. You can only control what you can control. But, obviously, I’m hoping for one.

‘And, if I have to qualify, then I’ll have to qualify. I’m ready. I feel like I’m playing well. I’m in a good place. And it was only two years ago that I made the fourth round, so I’m hoping that gets me some points.'

Watson was beaten 6-4, 6-4 by sixth seed and former world No 1 Karolina Pliskova in the second round in Nottingham on Wednesday evening.