Watson to feature in third Battle of the Brits
HEATHER WATSON will be among the elite players taking part in the Battle of the Brits Premier League Tennis at Roehampton from tomorrow.
The National Tennis Centre will again play host to what will be a third such event, with a domestic-only match-play league designed to help British players prepare for the 2021 season.
Fans will be able to watch via live streaming, with the four-day competition played over a 30-match league format, with each player in action at least once across the four days.
Former world number one Andy Murray is also among those to have signed up, along with the likes of Dan Evans, Cameron Norrie and Harriet Dart.
Jamie Murray said:
‘All the players were keen to get the chance to test themselves before the season begins,’ said Jamie Murray, who has teamed up with the LTA to stage the event.
‘It is been such an unusual year, with so many disruptions, that any competitive tennis people can get is welcome.
‘Even in pre-season nobody likes to lose to their friends, so we’re expecting some tight matches.’
LTA chief executive Scott Lloyd welcomed the initiative as focus turns towards the 2021 Australian Open.
‘We want to do all we can to help British players prepare for the season ahead,’ he said.
‘Despite being indoors, the matches will be on a similar type of court surface as at Melbourne and using the same balls to try and replicate conditions in Australia as closely as we can.
‘Hopefully the players will make the most of the opportunity to get some competitive matches under their belt.’
Watson ends an understandably quiet 2020 ranked 58 in the world.
. THE Australian Open has been pushed back by three weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic. The first Grand Slam of 2021 will now start on 8 February.
