British star Heather Watson has provided an update on her future in tennis after her first-round defeat to Clara Tauson at Wimbledon 2025.
She has featured at every Championships since 2010, with this year’s tournament the 15th time she’s played in the women’s singles main draw.
Watson’s best Wimbledon performance came in 2022 when she reached the last 16 – but she has now suffered three consecutive first-round exits.
The 33-year-old, who was handed a wildcard to compete at Wimbledon 2025, was left ’emotional’ right before her match with Tauson started.
But the world No.143 isn’t planning on hanging up her racket just yet as she shared a fresh retirement update in her post-match press conference.
Watson, who won the first set against 23rd-seed Tauson before the Dane won 2-6 6-4 6-3, was quizzed if she’d played Wimbledon for the last time.
Watson wants to continue playing Wimbledon
‘Hopefully not,’ Watson said. ‘That’s not my plan. I want to play as long as I’m still playing tournaments like this.
‘I was so grateful for the opportunity when the tournament gave me the wildcard, because this for me is the pinnacle.
‘Like when I walked out onto court today, I got a little bit emotional, because it’s so special.
‘I just appreciate it so much any time I get to be a part of this tournament. So hopefully I’ve still got a few left in me and I can get there on my own next year.’
Watson ‘buzzing’ ahead of mixed doubles
Wimbledon 2025 isn’t totally over for Watson just yet – with the Briton also competing in both the women’s doubles and mixed doubles tournaments.
‘I play doubles with Emily Appleton,’ Watson added. ‘We have a tough first round against Shnaider and Andreeva. Then I’m playing mixed doubles with Julian Cash. Hopefully I can produce some better serves [in] the doubles.
‘I’m not going to lie, [I am] buzzing that [Julian] has won back-to-back the last couple of weeks. And I’ve signed us in.
‘He texted me before my match saying, ‘Have you signed us in?’ – I’ve signed us in. Yeah, really looking forward to playing with him.
‘We haven’t spent loads of time together. He’s going to hate me for saying this, but we played a dingles game. Have you ever heard of this game, dingles?
‘It’s just like a fun tennis game. It’s singles and doubles combined basically. I was carrying the team, so I’m hoping he steps up on the mixed, so (laughing)… I’ve had a word with him!’
