Sarnian star Heather Watson meets some of the ball girls and boys who will be assisting at the Caversham Jersey Open. (Picture by Tony Pike, 0744977)
HEATHER WATSON will have to wait until this evening before she finds out who she will face in tomorrow’s first round of the $25,000 Caversham Ladies International tournament in Jersey.
The 16-year-old Guernsey star is making only her second professional senior appearance and was given a wild card entry into the main competition.
The draw for the main event will happen after the qualifying rounds have finished later today at Les Ormes Indoor Tennis Centre.
Watson, the world junior number 14, has been in Jersey ahead of her opening match which will take place on centre court at 7.15pm.
‘I’m really happy to be here and I’m so glad that I’ve been given a wild card,’ she said.
‘It’s so great to be home. There’s a lot media attention, probably because I’m a Channel Islander, but it’s got to be done.
‘I did some TV stuff yesterday and a radio guy spoke to me as well.’
Watson has had a great six months that saw her claim gold at the Commonwealth Youth Games in India, win her first ITF tournament in Mexico and then reach the quarter-finals of the Australian Junior Open in January.
The Jersey tournament organiser, Channel Islands Lawn Tennis Association development officer Hugh Raymond, said he has had plenty of telephone calls from Guernsey people enquiring about Watson’s first match and he expects there to be many Sarnians present.
Despite all eyes being on the local girl and with a big crowd guaranteed to watch her in action, Watson is not letting it get to her.
‘I don’t really get nervous any more,’ she said.
‘I’m really excited to be playing and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been practising hard and keeping my fitness up.’
Accompanying Watson is Andrew Fisher.
The former Channel Island county performance officer has been released by the LTA to accompany her to the next two Grand Slams and other top level tournaments in Europe.
It includes the Junior French Open in June and culminates in Wimbledon in July, when she hopes to receive a wild card into the senior draw.
It is the first time that Watson has had a full-time coach with her at events.
They got up early yesterday morning to hit the courts at 7am and had another training session in the afternoon.
Fisher was with Watson when she made her professional debut at last week’s $10,00 Bath 2009 tournament.
Unfortunately for the young star, Lucia Vrskova of Slovakia knocked her out in the opening round of the qualifiers.
‘The girl I lost to got to the semis [of the main competition] so she won over seven matches to get there,’ said Watson.
‘I was disappointed but I’m just starting out.’
Local people will get another chance to watch Watson play in an exhibition match, which has been organised by Sportingbet, who provide financial support for her to play in tournaments around the world, at Kings Life on Saturday 4 April.
She is taking on former top men’s British player Nick Crawley.
‘I’m really looking forward to it,’ she said. ‘That will be a lot of fun.’
Article posted on 24th March, 2009 - 2.29pm
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