LONDON — British tennis star Heather Watson expressed deep frustration after her first-round exit at Wimbledon, describing her 6-2, 7-5 loss to Denmark’s Clara Tauson as a match that "slipped through my fingers."
Watson, a former British No. 1 and a crowd favorite at the All England Club, struggled to find her rhythm against the 21-year-old Tauson, who overpowered her with aggressive baseline play. The 32-year-old, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2022, admitted she was disappointed with her performance, particularly after holding a 5-3 lead in the second set.
Missed Opportunities
Watson had a golden opportunity to force a deciding set but failed to capitalize on her lead. "I felt like I had her at 5-3 in the second, but I just couldn’t close it out," she said in her post-match press conference. "It’s frustrating because I know I can play so much better than that."
The British player’s struggles included:
- First-serve percentage dropping to just 54%
- Winning only 58% of points on her first serve
- Facing 10 break points, losing 5 of them
Tauson’s Dominance
Tauson, a former junior world No. 1, showcased her powerful groundstrokes and composure under pressure. The Dane, ranked No. 72, hit 28 winners compared to Watson’s 14 and converted crucial break points at key moments.
"She played really well, especially on the big points," Watson acknowledged. "I just couldn’t find my best tennis when I needed it most."
A Tough Season
Watson’s early exit adds to a challenging season. She has struggled to regain the form that saw her win four WTA titles, with her ranking currently at No. 147. Injuries and inconsistent performances have hampered her progress, and this loss marks her third first-round exit at a Grand Slam in 2024.
Despite the setbacks, Watson remains determined to bounce back. "I’m not giving up," she said. "I love competing, and I know I still have good tennis in me. I just need to keep working and trust the process."
Looking Ahead
Watson plans to regroup before the North American hard-court swing, targeting tournaments in Washington and Montreal. She also hinted at potential changes to her coaching setup, though she did not elaborate further.
For Tauson, the victory sets up a second-round clash with either No. 31 seed Barbora Krejcikova or Veronika Kudermetova. The Dane, who reached the third round at Wimbledon in 2021, will look to build on her momentum.
Fan Support
Despite the loss, Watson received a warm ovation from the Court 12 crowd. "The support here is always amazing," she said. "It’s what makes Wimbledon so special. I’ll be back stronger next year."
Watson’s defeat leaves British hopes in the women’s singles resting on Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter, who both won their opening matches. Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, faces Elise Mertens in the second round, while Boulter takes on Harriet Dart in an all-British clash.
As for Watson, she remains optimistic about her future. "This isn’t the end," she insisted. "I’ve been through tough patches before, and I’ve come out stronger. This is just another challenge."
Her resilience and fighting spirit have been hallmarks of her career, and fans will hope she can rediscover her best form in the months ahead. For now, though, Wimbledon 2024 ends in disappointment for the British veteran.