Heather Watson admitted she was not at her best as she fell to defeat in the second round of the LTA’s Rothesay Open in Nottingham.
Watson, who reached the semi-finals of the same tournament last year, lost 6-4 6-4 to sixth seed- and former world No.1 Karolina Pliskova to cut short her singles participation.
The Jersey-born player remains in the doubles draw alongside Ena Shibahara but the 32-year-old admitted it was scant consolation after feeling in good touch after her first round victory over Kayla Day.
“I don’t think I served particularly well today and I really needed to against a player like her,” she said.
“I gave my best with what I had on the day, it’s a shame I couldn’t get through that as I felt like my tennis was getting better with every match I played.
“She is such a tough opponent and there are so many great players in this draw, it’s not easy and it is just about who is better on the day.
“The more matches the better. It’s a shame I couldn’t come through that but at least I have doubles and more match practice on the grass because that’s what I need right now.”
Watson has retrained her focus on singles after concentrating on her doubles game over the past year with an eye on the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Defeat in the second round in Nottingham was not in Watson’s ideal plans but she is determined to stay upbeat despite the loss as she looks ahead to the rest of the grass season.
“Singles is always my priority, doubles is a bonus for. It has been a big focus of mine over the last 12 months to try and get to the Olympics but singles has been and always will be my priority,” she added.
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