Filled with happy memories, Heather Watson happy to take the path less travelled

Most players hope to avoid the qualifiers leading into a tournament, but not Great Britain’s Heather Watson.

Phoebe Imecs-Eddington and Isla Gerathy getting ready for the tournament. 2015 tournament champion and world No.102 Heather Watson (GBR) will be presenting the Hobart International 2020 Ballkids with their hats following their final training session today. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

IF Heather Watson is going to repeat her 2015 Hobart International victory, she will have to do it the hard way – but that is fine with her.

Watson, the world No.102, will have to progress through the qualifiers starting Saturday to make it through to Monday’s main draw.

2015 tournament champion and world No.102 Heather Watson (GBR) will be presenting the Hobart International 2020 Ballkids with their hats following their final training session today. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

2015 tournament champion and world No.102 Heather Watson (GBR) will be presenting the Hobart International 2020 Ballkids with their hats following their final training session today. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

“A few years ago I came through qualifying and made the semi finals and I think this stage of the year coming off a couple of months off match practice, any matches are good and I just want to play as many as possible,” Watson said.

“Some people always start the year really well, they don’t mind the time off and other people need warming up and match practice going in.

“I think I am one of those people who do quite well in Australia and I am very happy here, I could easily live here in Australia.

“It is like a second home.”

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The 27-year-old for Britain planned to indulge in one of her favourite past times when in Hobart – visiting Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.

“It is good to be back, I have a lot of good memories here … and every year I come back I love it here, I always visit Bonorong and just happy to be back in Hobart,” she said.

Yesterday, she presented the Hobart International ball girls and boys with their hats ahead of action starting today.

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