Britain's miserable French Open complete with Heather Watson joining her compatriots in losing in the opening round
Tuesday 29 September 2020 19:24, UK
British singles interest at this year's French Open came to an end for another year after Heather Watson fell to a tough first-round defeat on Tuesday.
After just three days of the tournament, no British singles players remain, with Watson joining Andy Murray, Johanna Konta, Dan Evans, Cameron Norrie and Liam Broady by going down 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 to France's Fiona Ferro.
"I feel like it's just been bad luck this year. It's happened. But the positive thing is we did have seven players in the main draw," said Watson, who pulled no punches when discussing how she sees the future of British tennis.
"I don't really see who's next. I don't see who's going to be top 50," the former British No 1 said.
"I think personally that more players need to get help rather than just helping your selected players - I don't know how many there are, but a handful of players. I feel like there needs to be a bigger pool of support.
"That way you're not spoiled and not given everything at a young age. You need to work for it, learn the grind and the hard work of the tour, what it takes. It would give more people the opportunity."
Watson was an early break up in both sets in damp, cool conditions at Roland Garros but was unable to hold on to her advantage.
The British No 2 had a brilliant start to 2020, capped by her fourth WTA title in Acapulco in February, but has not won a match since the tour restarted in August.
That lack of victories perhaps played a part at the biggest moments, with Ferro winning more of the important points in what was a very close match.
Watson had beaten the Frenchwoman twice in 2020 and moved into a 3-1 lead but back came Ferro and it was Watson who had to save three set points at 5-6.
A tie-break was her reward but Watson paid the price for a series of errors and could not build on a 2-0 lead in the second set.
Asked if she would consider getting involved with the Lawn Tennis Association at the end of her career in a bid to help change things, Watson said: "I definitely wouldn't want to get involved because of the politics.
"There's loads of politics involved. If I'm honest, I don't think my voice would be heard anyway."
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