Ruling the Commonwealth: Heather Watson drapes the Guernsey flag around her shoulders as the stadium stands for the playing of Sarnia Cherie. (Picture by Paul Guillou, 0657491)

HEATHER WATSON’s coach has confirmed that she will play on the main WTA tour next year.

The 16-year-old Guernsey tennis star is riding on the crest of a wave after she notched up her most impressive victory to date when she won gold for Guernsey at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune on Saturday.

Watson’s coach at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, the highly respected Percy Melzi, said that Watson will now be looking to make her professional tour debut in the new year.

‘Why not?’ he asked. ‘She’ll be doing lower level – $10,000 and $25,000 – events next year definitely.’

Next on the horizon for the rising star is the Eddie Herr International Junior Tennis Championships and then the Dunlop Orange Bowl. Both December competitions are in Florida.

Watson has had a big year. She made her first appearances at Junior Wimbledon and the Junior US Open and she helped Great Britain come second in the Junior Fed Cup in Mexico last month, among other important competitions.