THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 3, 2022

Heather Watson

Press Conference

J. NIEMEIER/H. Watson

6-2, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Heather, give us your thoughts on that match.

HEATHER WATSON: Well, immediately after walking off the court, I was obviously extremely disappointed. I've taken every match here as a big opportunity and managed to take advantage of it until today.

But credit to my opponent. I felt like she played really well, especially in that first set. Very flawless tennis. I actually was thinking at the end of the first set trying to think of unforced errors she'd hit, and I could only think of two.

She served very big, which I think was a big difference today. I felt like I was always reacting to her ball. Not on the front foot like I had been in my other matches.

So, yeah, credit to her.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Can I just ask about the unusual beginning to Centre Court today. Did they give you a time prediction of when you were going to start? How did you deal with it? I think your opponent said she tried not to watch it at all in case it made her nervous.

HEATHER WATSON: Yeah, I didn't watch it because I think I would have found it emotional, especially when I heard the music playing in the background.

But, yeah, it didn't affect me at all. I just stuck to my routines and just moved everything back a bit.

Q. Did they give you a clear idea when they were going to start?

HEATHER WATSON: They said they were going to call us at 2:08.

Q. Did they?

HEATHER WATSON: I don't know. I was just waiting patiently.

Q. Did it feel flat with the crowd? There was a huge high, celebration, legends, then a bit of a low. Did it feel flat in the atmosphere? Did that contribute to the flatness of the match?

HEATHER WATSON: I felt like the match was kind of flat because of the style of play. I felt like in a way I was playing like a serve-bot type thing. I was just trying to make as many returns as possible, holding onto my serve. It felt like more men's tennis today than women's.

The points were just so quick. Like my last match, there was so many great epic points with slices, coming to the net. I didn't feel like the rallies were long today at all, so maybe that had something to do with it.

But I still felt the support, especially at the end there when I needed it. Yeah, I felt super supported out there today.

Q. Is there any extra pressure playing in front of some of the absolute greats of the game?

HEATHER WATSON: I don't really look outside the court too much. I look at my box. But I always put enough pressure on myself anyway, so I don't need any more (smiling).

Q. There's been a lot of talk this year about the crowd not being as up for it. I thought it sounded pretty good out there. How did you find the first people's Sunday?

HEATHER WATSON: I thought the atmosphere was great out there. Like I said, I felt fully supported throughout. Also, yeah, like some of the points, it was just a serve, done, serve, point over. There wasn't much.

Q. You hit some sublime shots, but your forehand was a little bit up and down. How frustrating was it that you played so brilliantly or do you think your opponent played too well today?

HEATHER WATSON: I don't think she allowed me to get into it. Even when I did get a ball, like, in the middle of the court, it was so rare for that to happen, I had no rhythm against her.

When you do, I mean, it's hard to find rhythm against players like her. She just didn't let up at all.

Even after I did my homework and saw the bits of her game that might have had holes and that, she just didn't today, didn't let up all. Even at the net, I thought I might get some passes there, some more free points. But nothing. I think she played really well.

Q. I want to ask you, you made the fourth round of a slam, you won't get the sort of rankings boost you would have done, but does it change your outlook on the rest of the season? Does it change how you think about yourself as a tennis player?

HEATHER WATSON: I don't know. I think 'cause it's so soon after the match, I'm still quite deflated and disappointed. I saw today as a big opportunity, I believed in myself, and thought I'd come through it.

So, you know, I've always felt good enough. I mean, I've won four WTA titles. That's not easy. I know when I light it up, I can play really well and beat anyone on my day, just like anyone on tour.

Tennis is so up and down, so fickle. One minute you're doing great, the next you're out first round. I think I'm better at being more levelheaded.

I'll look back and be proud of myself I think for this week. But right now I'm a bit disappointed.

Q. Was it quite nerve-wracking to be playing in front of all those past Wimbledon champions?

HEATHER WATSON: I didn't look up. I didn't see who was watching, so I don't know who exactly was there.

But I've always got nerves coming into Wimbledon. I have to say, as I got through each round, my nerves actually got less and less I think because my self-belief grew and my confidence grew.

Q. She defeated you in Monterrey earlier this year. Do you think she just played a lot better today?

HEATHER WATSON: She had made a lot more unforced errors when I played her in Monterrey. I knew her serve was big. It was in Monterrey, as well. But it was bigger and better today.

I think what I was saying about myself, about the confidence, getting better and better with each match, I think it was the same for her today.

But she didn't really put a foot wrong. Yeah, she executed dropshots, volleys, her serving. Even her second serves were pretty big.

Q. You said that you pulled out of mixed doubles with a left knee injury. Was that just cautionary?

HEATHER WATSON: I've had so many falls. I'll show you my legs in a minute. I've got bruises everywhere.

One of the slips I had against Juvan, one of the muscles at the back of my knee had a reaction. I felt that quite a lot yesterday in mine and Harriet's doubles. It wasn't too long, so I managed to get away with it.

But, yeah, I just didn't want to push it too far. It didn't affect me today. But I'm going to show you. That was that knee. But then this one (indicating) I landed on my racquet when I dove for the volley against Juvan at 6-5. The volley that was miles away from me (smiling).

I actually said today I should have dived for a volley, but I didn't. That was that, and that was swollen as well. Then I had two bruises on the inside of my knees where I slipped against Wang.

Yeah, my knees are pretty unstable right now.

Q. The bruising notwithstanding, can you win the doubles with Harriet Dart? Is that the consolation after the singles?

HEATHER WATSON: Absolutely. I love playing doubles, especially with Harriet. Yesterday when we stepped on court, I just had so much self-belief in us, even when we lost a break or went down in the score. I just think we're such a good pair. We complement each other.

Last year we were very close to making the fourth round, and neither of us were really playing that well. I think that's a really positive coming into this year. We're both more confident playing well.

Definitely I'm going to put all my everything into the doubles now.

Q. Is a diving volley now, that's off the menu?

HEATHER WATSON: Well, I didn't do it today. Maybe I should have and I would have won, I don't know (smiling).

Yeah, I don't think I've made one yet, so maybe it's not a good idea.

Q. Do you believe the best is still to come from you at Wimbledon? Can we see you in quarterfinals and going more?

HEATHER WATSON: Absolutely. I think in the women's game, often people are breaking through later. I think experience counts for a lot. Everybody's journey is different. This is mine. I broke a barrier this week. So I am definitely hungry for more.

I believe in my tennis and my game. I still really enjoy it. I think that's really important. So I'll keep plugging away, as I always do. I've been around a long time now, and I hope to be around at least a bit longer.

Q. How are you going to unwind? Are you going to be watching "Love Island" tonight?

HEATHER WATSON: I have a lot to catch up on. I haven't had a lot of time.

I'll definitely be replaying the match back in my head, seeing things I could have done different. But I'll try and switch off, get away. I will have some good food, get an early night because we've got doubles tomorrow, and just focus on that.

Q. With each year, sort of the crowd's love and appreciation seems to grow. How does that feel when you have those people cheering you on? Does it make you appreciate it more halfway through your career?

HEATHER WATSON: Halfway is generous (laughter).

I mean, age is just a number. I really don't think about it anymore. It will drive you crazy if you do.

Yeah, my mindset is different. When I approach matches like today, I really appreciate every moment. I appreciate every match that I'm here, and the crowd. I think that's why I'm so disappointed today. I feel like I didn't do myself justice. I really enjoyed it. I wanted to be out there longer. I wanted more.

So, yeah, every moment that I spend on a court like today in front of the British crowd at Wimbledon, it's so special. I don't take it for granted.

Q. You talk about your mindset. Do some of these seeds falling out like Iga, does that affect your mindset and you think, This could be a very good year?

HEATHER WATSON: I mean, I just took it match by match. When I saw each opponent, I have total respect for everyone. But I always find a positive in my mind. So if I'm playing a seed, I think, Okay, no pressure here, go out there and swing. If I'm not playing a seed, I'm like, Okay, let's try to take advantage of this draw. Whatever way, I'll try to spin it into a positive.

But I do see everybody in the draw as a challenge but also an opportunity equally. Everybody here can play great tennis. You never know who's going to win on the day. It really depends.

Q. Cam Norrie could be in the quarterfinals. Talk to us about Cam the player and the man. What are you most impressed by?

HEATHER WATSON: Well, I mean, I've been impressed with Cam for so long. He is so low-key, under the radar. I think he deserves more attention firstly because he's such a great example. He is everything that your coaches and your parents ask of you. His work ethic, his focus, his dedication, how he invests in himself. He's just the perfect example that you want your kids aspire to be. He really is. And he's a great person, as well.

So I really hope he can go far. He's got a tough match today. I mean, every match is tough, like I said. It would be great to see him do well.