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Coronavirus: Heather Watson is 'gutted' by Wimbledon postponement

"It's a tough time for everyone and I just hope that everyone gets through this safe and as quick as possible," says British number 2

British tennis player Heather Watson returns the ball to US player Coco Vandeweghe (out of frame) during their WTA Mexico Open women's singles tennis match in Acapulco, Guerrero State, Mexico, on February 24, 2020
Image: Heather Watson reached the top 50 in the WTA rankings before the pandemic hit

Heather Watson says she is 'gutted' at not being able to compete at Wimbledon this year.

The tournament was scheduled to take place from June 29 to July 12 but was called off last week because of the coronavirus crisis.

Watson reached the top 50 of the WTA singles rankings before the pandemic halted all play until at least the middle of July.

The 27-year-old said during an Instagram Live with Functional Tennis: "The grass court season is just the highlight of my life.

Watson celebrates her victory in Acapulco
Image: Watson won the fourth WTA title of her career at the Mexican Open in March

"I love it and live for it every year so I'm gutted, but it's a tough time for everyone and I just hope that everyone gets through this safe and as quick as possible."

She also recalled winning the only Grand Slam title of her career to date, when she claimed the mixed doubles with Finland's Henri Kontinen in 2016.

She said: "One of the best days of my life was winning the mixed doubles with Henri and it was the first time we played together and got on like a house on fire.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 16:  Runners-up Heather Watson of Great Britain and Henri Kontinen of Finland pose with their trophies after the Mixed Doubles final match against Jamie Murray of Great Britain and Martina Hingis of Switzerland on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon on July 16, 2017 in London, England.  (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Image: Watson won the Wimbledon mixed doubles title with Henri Kontinen in 2016

"To win a title at Wimbledon, no matter what it is, you are on history walls forever and nobody can take that away from you so I'm really proud of myself for that and the trophy is front and centre in my living room."

Watson last month ended a four-year wait for a WTA title when she beat Canadian Leylah Fernandez in an entertaining final in Acapulco and she believes her happiness off the court was the main factor behind the success.

"It was awesome. I'm in a very good place," she said. "I just knew I was playing great tennis, I felt everything in my life and game was coming together."

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