Heather Watson and Team GB ‘excited and ready to go’ in Fed Cup

Shahida Jacobs
February 7, 2020

Heather Watson has played down the extra responsibility on her shoulders ahead of Great Britain’s Fed Cup qualifier away against Slovakia, saying she just “wants to do the team proud”.

With world No 14 Johanna Konta absent, a lot will rest on world No 74 Watson as she is the most experienced member of Anne Keothavong’s squad that includes Harriet Dart, Naiktha Bains, Katie Swan and Emma Raducanu.

The Slovakia team can count on the likes of Viktoria Kuzmova and Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.

Watson, who has started the 2020 season on a positive note as she reached the semi-finals in Hobart and the second round of the Australian Open, is looking forward to the challenge.

“I don’t feel that a lot hinges on me. I want to do my team proud, I’m playing well and I’m confident in myself,” she told the official Fed Cup website.

“I’m excited to play and ready to go. The clay is a really nice court. Schmiedlova is tough, such a consistent retriever of the ball. Kuzmova is a great player, very young, an aggressor who hits a big ball – that will be tough, too.”

Captain Keothavong admits her side will be up against it away in Bratislava.

“The Slovakian team are the favourites,” she said. “They have home support, choice of surface and players who have performed well in Fed Cup in the past.

“Yes, we are without our top player in Johanna Konta, but it is what it is. As captain I just have to prepare the players who are fit and healthy and ready to play in the best way possible.

“Come match day I’m confident that they’ll be as well prepared as possible and give a good account of themselves.”

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Heather Watson