Heather Watson: I feel great this year — I’m even letting mum and dad watch me at Wimbledon

 
Feeling confident: Heather Watson
EASTBOURNE, ENGLAND - JUNE 24: Heather Watson of Great Britain in action during her third round match against Sloane Stephens of The USA on day four of the Aegon International at Devonshire Park on June 24, 2015 in Eastbourne, England. (Photo by Ben Hoski

Heather Watson has revealed she has lifted the ban on her parents watching her at Wimbledon.

The British number one had previously asked her father Ian and mother Michelle not to come to her matches fearing their presence could jinx her.

But in a sign of her new-found confidence, Watson, 23, said this year she had dropped the superstition — and had left the decision up to them.

Watson, who is due to play her first match today, told the Standard: “I’ve said to them, ‘Listen guys, you can do whatever you want, if you want to be there great, if you don’t I don’t mind,’ so I just leave it up to them now.”

However, she is not ditching all her Wimbledon traditions, adding: “I’m staying with the same host family I’ve stayed with for the past four years now and I love staying with them. I feel right at home, I enjoy it and it’s great being so close by to the tennis courts.”

The Guernsey-born star, who lives half the year in London, said she was in good spirits and feeling more mature and experienced than in previous years. She said she had “been through quite a few things” off court that had contributed to her development.

WTA Pre-Wimbledon party

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In 2012, Watson admitted she was disappointed that Andy Murray chose her friend, former British number one Laura Robson, to compete with him in the Olympic mixed doubles.

The following year she suffered from depression after being diagnosed with glandular fever. Watson, who was previously in a relationship with a long-term boyfriend but is single, added: “I’m feeling very good, very excited about life, about tennis, and I just am really looking forward to Wimbledon.

“I feel quite experienced on the tour now, I’ve played at Wimbledon for quite a few years and also off court I’ve been through quite a few things in my life now.

“I feel like all of them have shaped me and made me who I am and I just really look forward to the future.”

At the WTA pre-Wimbledon party, presented by Dubai Duty Free at The Roof Gardens in Kensington, she said: “I feel excited every single time I go back [to Wimbledon].

“It’s my favourite time of year, not just playing but also everything that comes with it. It makes all the hard work and blood sweat and tears on the court worthwhile.”

Watson said it was great that talented young women such as Katie Swan were coming through and said the British players are “very friendly with each other”.

But she would like to see more progress made around awareness of women’s sport, saying: “There’s a lot being done at the moment, but … you open the paper in the morning and you don’t see much about women’s sports. I think there should be more of that, and I think there’s starting to be.”

Watson is delighted Robson has returned to competition after a wrist injury — they have been working out together at the gym. “It’s great to have Laura back, she’s a good friend. I’m really glad she’s fit and healthy,” she said.

Watson’s first match is against French number two Caroline Garcia. The clash is the final one scheduled on Number Two Court and is expected to take place tonight.

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