Britain’s Top Two Women Are Having Tough Pre-Wimbledon Preparation

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 14th June 2013

Britain’s Top Two Women Are Having Tough Pre-Wimbledon Preparation |

Britain’s Fed Cup captain Judy Murray does everything in her power to deflect the weight of national expectation from her pair of young players Laura Robson and Heather Watson. But she admits the pressure will be on the pair at Wimbledon.

Both Robson and Watson suffered disappointing early exits at this week’s AEGON Classic at Birmingham’s Edgbaston Priory. And Murray is acutely aware that a similar performance could be harmful to the mood of optimism that has been built up around the pair of former junior Grand Slam champions.

“Both of them made significant jumps last year from around 120 up into the top 40,” Murray said. “This year poses slightly different issues for them in so far as this time last year they wouldn’t be seeded in these events, this year they are.

“And there is an expectation of them. Coaches and players on the tour know more about them so they are not as new as they once were.

“It’s one thing getting to a certain ranking but it’s another learning to live there as well. Laura and Heather are all still young, and I think they are all on a good track. At the end of the day you will get to where you are destined to get to by how much you want it and how much you are prepared to dedicate and sacrifice towards getting to the very top.”

Robson, seeded seventh and playing her first tournament under coach Miles Maclagan, lost disappointingly to veteran Daniela Hantuchova in straight sets while Watson registered a first round win but couldn’t follow up and was beaten by qualifier Alla Kudryavtseva.

Watson later complained that she was still feeling the after effects of mononucleosis (glandular fever) that sidelined her from the circuit for two months after the Sony Open in Miami until the French Open.

“I have good days and bad days,” she revealed. “On a bad day I just can’t be bothered to do anything. It’s not lazy or that I can’t be bothered but just lethargic. It’s just random.

“I feel than I did at the French Open but the points on grass are a lot shorter so it’s never going to be hugely physical. But I did feel better, more energetic.”