Heather Watson conceded she was simply outclassed as her Wimbledon singles campaign came to an end on Wednesday.
Guernsey’s Watson had been in fine fettle this grass court season, most notably coming through qualifying to reach the last four of the LTA’s Rothesay Open Nottingham.
But on Wednesday she faced an opponent that had also impressed on grass this season, in the form of tenth seed Barbora Krejcikova.
The Czech was champion at Roland-Garros in 2021, and reached the final of the LTA’s Rothesay Classic Birmingham just a few weeks back – alongside twice winning the women’s doubles title here.
And despite Watson’s best efforts, Krejcikova ultimately proved too consistent in a 6-2 7-5 victory out on Court 1.
“I look forward to these moments so much now. For it to be over in the first round, this is just not how I envisioned it, not what I want,” said Watson.
“It was always going to be a tough match against a Grand Slam champion, but I believed I could win. Everybody’s human, we all have our days – I know how well I have been playing.
“But I thought she just played so well today. I thought she served so well. She just never gave me a look in. I think my returns are one of the strongest parts of my game – she was just relentless with it.”
Despite defeat on Wednesday, Watson’s time at the All England Club has not come to an end this year quite yet.
The 31-year-old has received a women’s doubles wildcard alongside fellow Brit Harriet Dart, while she will be playing mixed doubles alongside Joe Salisbury.
Watson won the mixed doubles title in SW19 back in 2016 and was a finalist the following year – playing alongside Henri Kontinen – and she cannot wait to take to court alongside the five-time Slam winner.
She added: “New partner – I’m happy!
“I asked him, and I thought I had no chance but he said yes. That’s great – it’s a bonus.”
For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website
