Tennis Spy: Heather Watson

Eurosport - Wed, 14 Oct 10:47:00 2009

Tennis Spy takes a look at the rising star of British tennis, US Open girls' champion Heather Watson.

TENNIS Heather Watson of Great Britain - 0

Full name: Heather Watson

Nationality: British (Born in Guernsey)

Age: 17 (DOB May 19, 1992)

Career Highlights: At the fledgling stage of career but has already made name for herself by winning 2009 US Open Girls' singles. Ranked 678 in the world, which is hardly surprising as she has taken only tentative steps on main tour. In July 2009, Watson won her first senior title, the Frinton Open, and usurped Laura Robson as Britain's highest-ranked junior.

General: Has sound grounding in the game from being at the famed Nick Bollettieri Academy since 2004. The academy has nurtured a host of world stars - with Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Monica Seles and Maria Sharapova some of the high-profile players to emerge from the Florida camp.

Strengths: At 17, Watson is still developing her game and looking to add strength to both wings, but what she is not short of is pace around the court. Her counter-attacking style means she is most comfortable at the back of the court, but also has great mental strength and is not afraid to mix things up should the need arise.

Weaknesses: Is behind Robson in terms of development and needs to work on the defensive aspect of her game, which will be tested as she moves up to senior tennis.

Prospects: Bollettieri is pretty good judge of a player and he has invested a lot of time and energy and is not looking to let things slide. He said: "I want to work with her on a one-to-one basis, give her all my 53 years of coaching experience and I see the future as so exciting.

Personal: Born and raised on the Channel Island of Guernsey, Watson sprang to prominence with victories at the turn of the Millennium when winning the island's short-tennis championship. It was clear her talent would outgrow the island so Watson secured a place at Bollettieri's Academy. Looks set to resist the US college system and will turn her attentions to the women's circuit once she graduates from Pendleton High School next summer.

Eurosport

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  1. I'm sure Guernsey is justly proud of you Sanchez.

    From Nicholas, on Wed 14 Oct 4:56PM
  2. laura reminds me so much of venus at fifteen, only that­ she is already seventeen and a half, still lets hope­ she turns out to be almost as good, my home town is­ already very proud of her, good luck.

    From sanchez.santos, on Wed 14 Oct 3:52PM
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