Watson sees positives after layoff

 

Originally published on: 11/06/13 00:00

The British No.2 has played one competitive match since March after being diagnosed with glandular fever, but is refreshed and raring to go after returning to action at Roland Garros last month.

Watson, who kicks off her grass court campaign at the Aegon Classic in Birmingham this week, is desperate to better her performance at last year’s Championships, where she reached the third round.

“I have done some serious training,” Watson said. “My legs were jelly a few days ago but it’s all in sight of doing well for the goal of Wimbledon and doing well in the grass court season. And for me it is so important to do well here, at home, as I don’t feel like I’m just doing it for myself but for everyone who comes to watch.”

Watson took time out from her training to visit a primary school in Paddington, where she took  part in a coaching clinic provided by the Statoil-supported Give It Your Max charity which provides tennis coaching to children aged five to ten in the state sector.

“For me it’s an honour to be looked at as a role model and one of my goals in life is for young kids to look up to me so if they do then that’s awesome and I will keep trying my best to do that,” Watson said.

Heather Watson is the official ambassador for Statoil’s Heroes of Tomorrow Initiative which sponsors young talented people across sport, culture and education. The investment by Statoil, Norway’s leading energy company, to British Tennis includes its sponsorship of the Masters Tennis Tournament at the Royal Albert hall and it’s funding of leading grassroots tennis charity Give It Your Max (GIYM). GIYM pays for qualified tennis coaches to teach tennis to children aged between 5-10 years old in the state sector.

Now get the WORLD’S BEST TENNIS MAGAZINE here