British Tennis Forum - Celebrating 20 Years!

Deucebag · Intermediate Club Player

Week 26 - WTA250 - Eastbourne, Great Britain Grass

PaulM · Tennis legend

Looks like Heather knackered herself with the unnecessary stress and additional hour and a bit of court yesterday. Looks very sluggish by

1-4*

PaulM · Tennis legend

Deucebag wrote:
Not looking good for Heather here.
Shes being pushed back 3 meters behind the baseline just trying to keep pushing the ball back in play.
Part of me still wants Heather to do well but another part of me feels like she is happy to just keep turning up to pick up a pay cheque without putting much effort in.
The athleticism isnt there anymore.

"Without putting much effort in" ?!

Did you see her yesterday, or in Queens? There's lots of reasons Hev will never be back up in the top 50 again, but not it's definitely not lack of effort that's the issue.

wimbledont · Lower Club Player

I think Heather still turns up because she enjoys playing tennis.

Taken a break back for 2*-4 now.

Rakhimova has played the occasional outstanding shot.

Deucebag · Intermediate Club Player

PaulM wrote:
Deucebag wrote:
Not looking good for Heather here.
Shes being pushed back 3 meters behind the baseline just trying to keep pushing the ball back in play.
Part of me still wants Heather to do well but another part of me feels like she is happy to just keep turning up to pick up a pay cheque without putting much effort in.
The athleticism isnt there anymore.
"Without putting much effort in" ?!

Did you see her yesterday, or in Queens? There's lots of reasons Hev will never be back up in the top 50 again, but not it's definitely not lack of effort that's the issue.

I watched her when she played at Nottingham against Jean Jean and she started just as poorly today but she is picking the level up now.

shes started to try and stay on the baseline

DF · Tennis legend

Deucebag wrote:
Not looking good for Heather here.
Shes being pushed back 3 meters behind the baseline just trying to keep pushing the ball back in play.
Part of me still wants Heather to do well but another part of me feels like she is happy to just keep turning up to pick up a pay cheque without putting much effort in.
The athleticism isnt there anymore.

She was the best of our lot so far here and did more than just turn up

PaulM · Tennis legend

4-5* now and it's definitely a contest but she's probably left it a little too late.

Rakhimova has a deceptively good game for grass I think. Her shots are fairly flat and skid through quite nicely when she gets the length. She's just not a brilliant mover and tends to be quite inconsistent. Heather needs to get her off the front foot if she can.

-- Edited by PaulM on Sunday 22nd of June 2025 10:49:43 AM

Danny1312 · Intermediate Club Player

Heather can be frustrating she could be 40-0 up serving and you'd not be confident of a hold... But in my opinion she's very dedicated and that's the least of any issues. Also I get the impression when you have lots of young talent around you'd want Heather round as long as possible so hopefully she keeps going as long as possible!

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

DF wrote:
Deucebag wrote:
Not looking good for Heather here.
Shes being pushed back 3 meters behind the baseline just trying to keep pushing the ball back in play.
Part of me still wants Heather to do well but another part of me feels like she is happy to just keep turning up to pick up a pay cheque without putting much effort in.
The athleticism isnt there anymore.
She was the best of our lot so far here and did more than just turn up

Yep, and has the most wins so far this grass season of all the Brits.

wimbledont · Lower Club Player

4-6, but closer now

Early on, Rakhimova his some amazing shots - managed to pick out the corner of the service box from a baseline half-volley, for a clean winner. The 0-4 scoreline wasnt any real reflection on Heather playing terribly badly.

Deucebag · Intermediate Club Player

PaulM wrote:
4-5* now and it's definitely a contest but she's probably left it a little too late.

Rakhimova has a deceptively good game for grass I think. Her shots are fairly flat and skid through quite nicely when she gets the length. She's just not a brilliant mover and tends to be quite inconsistent. Heather needs to get her off the front foot if she can.

-- Edited by PaulM on Sunday 22nd of June 2025 10:49:43 AM

yes I was told by my friend who went to Nottingham that Rakhimova was one of the better players in qualification.

He said she returns very well and also said she is good on grass.

Hope Heather starts strong in the 2nd

PaulM · Tennis legend

Wind is definitely picking up which is making Heathers struggle on serve even tougher.

1-2*

B00thy · Strong Club Player

PaulM wrote:
Did you see her yesterday, or in Queens? There's lots of reasons Hev will never be back up in the top 50 again, but not it's definitely not lack of effort that's the issue.

At Queens I was struck by how fit Heather looked actually .. looks like she's really been putting in the work in the spring

Deucebag · Intermediate Club Player

B00thy wrote:
PaulM wrote:
Did you see her yesterday, or in Queens? There's lots of reasons Hev will never be back up in the top 50 again, but not it's definitely not lack of effort that's the issue.
At Queens I was struck by how fit Heather looked actually .. looks like she's really been putting in the work in the spring

Heather is far far from looking fit and even if she had been putting the work in if youre not prepared to fight, chase, battle and work on court then whats the point.

I understand she is well known and sells tickets but People who buy tickets are only going to be disappointed with performances we have seen recently.

DF · Tennis legend

Q2: Heather Watson (GBR) WR143 lost to Kamilla Rakhimova WR87 4-6 1-6

No qualifier this year but a number in the main draw already