Profiles

Born in Guernsey in 1992 Heather Watson became a household name in the island thanks to her tennis playing in 2009 when she won her first senior tournament in Frinton and won the US Open girls' singles tournament in New York, making her the first British competitor to win the competition.

Heather playing in Guernsey

These achievements were the culmination of years of dedicated work and training that started in Guernsey.

Heather said, "I did it [tennis] for fun and a hobby, like I swam and danced also," but, when she was 12, "we sat down as a family to discuss what I was going to do in the next year, I decided I wanted to go and train in America".

And that is what she did. Since then Heather has been training at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida where her days are divided into two clear parts focusing on training and school work.

"I get up at six o'clock for a six-thirty run," Heather explained, "after that I have to play for three hours straight... in total I train from six-thirty 'til 11 non stop".

Heather playing an exhibition match in 2009

"School's really important to me as well," she continued, "In the afternoon I have school from twelve-forty-five 'til five and then in the evenings I have to do my homework". Despite such a packed daily schedule Heather said, "I like being busy so I don't mind... I am exhausted [by it] but it just makes me sleep better".

Picking up a serious injury is Heather's worst nightmare but she said "tennis is my main goal... but you always need a backup plan" which is where the regular schooling comes in. "I'm going to make sure I don't regret anything in life".

Amongst all the work Heather said she does find time to relax and she enjoys eating (despite being on a strict diet she always finds time for chips at Cobo with her dad when she's in Guernsey), watching TV and listening to music on her iPod.

Heather and her father, Ian Watson

In the summer of 2009 she said her iPod has "a bit of Lady GaGa, some Pink, a lot of artists" on, which she listens to both when relaxing and focusing before a game.

Despite being largely based in Florida, Heather said, "Guernsey will always be my first home," and she returns to the island whenever she can - "I just love being home and walking on the beach".

With London 2012 and the senior Commonwealth Games in her sights for the future Heather said her main ambition in tennis is to win the senior Wimbledon trophy and she put her success so far down to "hard work and dedication - it's that simple".