Andy and Laura inspire me to be better
HEATHER GAINS A WIMBLEDON BOOST
HEATHER WATSON is taking inspiration from Andy Murray and Laura Robson’s success at Wimbledon as she bids to return to top form.
British No.2 Watson was preparing for a hard block of training in the United States as Murray defeated Novak Djokovic on Sunday to become Wimbledon champion.
Watson reached the third round at the All England Club last year, but went out in the opening round this time against rising American star Madison Keys.
Watson, playing in only her fourth tournament after two months out with glandular fever, admitted after the Keys defeat that she was still feeling the effects of her time off.
Confidence
The 21-year-old then had to watch as Robson went on to reach the fourth round.
The two are good friends, but there is also a rivalry.
When Robson ended another long British wait, by reaching a WTA Tour final in September, Watson went out three weeks later and won the title in Osaka.
Watson said of Robson’s run: “She did brilliantly. She had a very tough first round to get through and once she got through that it gave her confidence to carry on.
“It inspires me, and also what Andy’s doing.
“It makes me ready for the whole hard-court season, and I’m so determined for my next tournament now.”
Watson headed home to Guernsey for the weekend, where she works out her targets for the season.
She hopes a threeweek training camp will help her get back to peak form and fitness before her next tournament in Washington, which starts on July 29.
“I want to get good preparation in before the hard-court season, which I haven’t had yet since I’ve been back,” she added. “It’s really frustrating not to be at my best, I think that’s the tough part.”