THE island reciprocated Heather Watson’s love as she was given the top accolade at last night’s 2009 Guernsey Sports Commission Achievement Awards at Beau Sejour.

The Guernsey-born tennis star simply had a fantastic 2009.

The pinnacle of the 17-year-old’s year came in September when she became the first British girl to win the US Junior Open after defeating Russian Yana Buchina in the final at Flushing Meadows, New York.

It kick-started Watson’s professional career with her then signing terms with leading sport management company, IMG.

The result also thrust her into the global media spotlight and she became the most high profile Sarnian since Matt Le Tissier.

And Watson always takes the effort to praise her island home and has decided to represent Guernsey at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi later this year, if selected.

She was not able to pick up her Guernsey Sports Commission Trophy for the outstanding performer of the year as she is currently in Melbourne preparing for the Australian Junior Open, which gets under way on Sunday.

Her proud father, Ian, was instead on hand to receive the trophy from the evening’s guest of honour, British 400m runner Katharine Merry, who won bronze at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

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