Heather Watson is determined to secure her first Olympic medal in Paris.
The 32-year-old athlete from Guernsey will represent Team GB at her fourth Olympic Games, teaming up with Katie Boulter for the women’s doubles and Joe Salisbury for the mixed doubles.
Watson’s top achievement came during the 2016 Olympics in Rio, where she and partner Andy Murray advanced to the quarter-finals in the mixed doubles event.
“My objective is to savor every moment and embrace the entire journey, but this time I genuinely feel I’m going to concentrate on striving for a medal,” Watson shared with BBC Radio Guernsey.
She and Boulter will kick off their women’s doubles campaign against Germany’s Angelique Kerber and Laura Siegemund, while Watson and Salisbury will face Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski and Felix Auger in their mixed doubles opener.
“I believe I have a strong chance, especially in both the doubles and mixed doubles,” she remarked.
“I’ve been partnering with Joe in the mixed doubles over the past year, and we make a fantastic team, so I have complete faith in us and hope to conclude this Olympics on a high note.”
Watson, who achieved her best Grand Slam singles result by reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2022, has found considerable success in doubles events.
In 2016, she clinched the Wimbledon mixed doubles title alongside Henri Kontinen from Finland, and the duo reached the final again the following year.
Currently ranked 141st in the WTA standings, Watson emphasizes that qualifying for a fourth Olympics has been a long-term goal for her.
“Over the last year, my primary focus has been to qualify for another Olympic Games,” she stated.
“As I approach the later stages of my career, I find myself cherishing moments like this even more.
“I’m here to compete for victory. I would do anything to earn a medal, and I’m excited to step onto the court and give it my utmost effort.”
