THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 30, 2022

Heather Watson

Press Conference

H. WATSON/Q. Wang

7-5, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Heather, good to wrap it up quick today. Your thoughts on the overall match.

HEATHER WATSON: Yeah, really happy. That was the best-case scenario today, to break and win that match quickly. Things don't always go to plan, so I visualized all the scenarios and I was ready for it.

But, yeah, really happy with how it turned out. Yeah, looking forward to my next match.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How did you sleep last night? Was it okay? Did you squeeze in "Love Island"?

HEATHER WATSON: I actually did to wind down. I slept awful last night because during my match I had to take caffeine to keep up for it when we're playing at 9 p.m. at night.

So, yeah, I got probably just shy of four hours' sleep. Yeah, woke up not feeling great this morning. But, yeah, it's been a really tough few days for me with the scheduling. It's not been on my side at all.

I've just tried to do the best I could. In every situation try to stay positive and in the moment. I feel like I've handled it really well. I think I actually might go back for a nap before doubles because they've scheduled me not before 6:00 tonight, and I'll have singles again tomorrow.

Yeah, it's tough (smiling).

Q. A nice problem to have, though, isn't it?

HEATHER WATSON: It is. But I would like to play in the day.

Q. Given your progress, is it frustrating at all that ranking points aren't on this year's Wimbledon? I've spoken to a couple players and they've said they felt less pressure, it's almost freed them up in some strange way.

HEATHER WATSON: I mean, now I'm in round three, I would like there to be points (smiling). I had nothing to defend from last year, so it wasn't an awful situation for me going in.

But to be honest, I didn't think about it too much. I always want to do well at Wimbledon. If there was no points or no money, I'd still want to go out there and win.

Q. You mentioned you stuck to the "Love Island" routine. Did you stick to the chicken wings?

HEATHER WATSON: Different meal. It was what was available at that time of night. It was quiche last night. That's what was on offer.

Q. You're the type of person that needs to play more to get better. What is behind this good run at the moment? Does that mean you're going to get better as the tournament goes on, as well?

HEATHER WATSON: Absolutely. I think with each match my confidence grows. I think there was a big difference in my level I would say today, but this match which started yesterday, compared to my first match.

So, yeah, I feel like this week at Wimbledon I've started to really hit the ball clean in practice, which I wasn't feeling last week in Eastbourne. I'm a person who practices like they play. Already I was feeling good going into my first match here. It's just getting over the line which gives you that real confidence.

I feel like as each match goes by, I'm going to be feeling better and better.

Q. You're in a very open section of the draw as well. Are you thinking there's a really good chance?

HEATHER WATSON: No, I never look at the draw.

Q. With the caffeine tablets and everything, do you find every day towards a certain point of the day you need to get going? You need that kick with all the adrenaline.

HEATHER WATSON: Yeah, the only reason I did it -- I don't always take it. The only reason I did yesterday is because it was pretty late when we went on. It's a gel I take. The only reason I did it today was because I had four hours' sleep so I needed something.

Q. Do you feel sluggish or literally sleepy that you could probably drop off?

HEATHER WATSON: I could probably drop off now, yeah, so...

It's just also mentally making sure you've done everything you can to be as well-prepared as possible. I think maybe it doesn't actually do anything to me physically, but mentally I feel like I've checked that box.

Q. You're not on your Diet Cokes or other sources of caffeine, has to be the hard stuff?

HEATHER WATSON: Just the hard stuff, yeah (smiling).

Q. I think I'm right in saying this is your first third round of a Grand Slam since 2015.

HEATHER WATSON: Not a clue (smiling).

Q. Wild scenes of celebration in your box after the match. Can you give us an insight, how big of an achievement is this, milestone?

HEATHER WATSON: You know what, I'm pretty relaxed about it right now. I've been here before. I'm just taking it step by step, match by match. I feel as I've gotten older, I've been on the tour many years now, my highs aren't as high, but my lows aren't as low. I'm more levelheaded. Before when I was first on tour, making my first third round, I was on top of the world. But I think it's better being how I am now.

Yeah, I mean, everyone there in my box supports me 100%. They've got my back through the ups and the downs, so it means a lot to them, as well. They're all my family and closest friends.

Q. Your mum is such a presence courtside all the time. We never hear much about tennis in Papua New Guinea. Do you know what impact you have there? Have you visited much?

HEATHER WATSON: Yeah, my mum is famous on the tour. I feel like when I'm playing a match, she's on the screen more than I am.

But, yeah, my mum is such a good tennis parent, she's so levelheaded, accepting, whether I win or lose. That's just so important because as a professional athlete, you already beat yourself up enough. It's always great to have her positivity around.

Papua New Guinea, I haven't been there since I was a child. We should try and get back there more. With the scheduling and everything, it's really tough, especially being so far away.

I'm proud to be half Papua New Guinean. Especially at the Olympics when I get to meet the other athletes there. Often they'll know who I am. I don't know how I am there, but yeah.

Q. I know it's not your job to get carried away but it kind of is ours. Looking at your previous times in the third round, you've played good players, Serena, Azarenka. I know you played your opponent in the third round at US Open. Are you really ready to seize this opportunity, try to make the fourth round?

HEATHER WATSON: Yeah, I see that with every match. I respect every single person in the draw. Everyone can play tennis. You see upsets, especially in the women's game, just constantly now because the strength and depth is so big.

But, yeah, I do see it as an opportunity, just like I saw today as an opportunity. And also I think when people look at the draw and see me at Wimbledon on grass, it's not an easy draw either. But again, she's probably thinking the same.

Hopefully it will be a much better match than the US Open because I wasn't there that day.

Q. That was a couple months after what happened here last year. I'm guessing mentally you probably wasn't in the greatest head space. Completely different ball game.

HEATHER WATSON: Completely different ball game, like you said. The last few years, let's not talk about that.