Davis Cup triumph will boost tennis in Britain: Heather Watson

Hyderabad: The victory of Britain in the Davis Cup for the first time in nearly eight decades would give a boost to tennis in the country, English tennis player Heather Watson said here on Monday.

"I watched the doubles the day before, the singles yesterday, the whole match. It's huge. It's like wow. Great Britain loves their stars like that. I was really, very excited," Watson, who plays for Chennai Warriors in the ongoing Champions Tennis League (CTL), said.

Britain won the Davis Cup for the first time in 79 years in Ghent on Sunday when Andy Murray defeated David Goffin 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 in the first of the reverse singles for an unbeatable 3-1 lead over Belgium.

"It's huge achievement first of all. I think for the boys that were there, British tennis players, it's kind of lifts everybody and everybody thinks lot more positive and hopefully we will build of that and use that as motivation, as confidence for the future," Watson, who is currently ranked 55 in WTA Women's Singles rankings, said.

Watson, who is playing in the CTL for the first time, said she is pleased with her team and enjoyed the tournament.

The 23-year-old is pitted against Swiss legend Martina Hingis, who plays for Hyderabad, in women's singles match today.

Replying to a query, she said it is more important to be physically strong and fit in contemporary tennis than what it used to be earlier.

"I feel that fitness is becoming very, very important in the game today. Rallies are longer, the surfaces have changed? But I think it is very important to be physically strong today," she said.

Chennai's player Rainer Schuettler feels that tennis is getting much more competitive and better compared to the past.

"For me, it is always funny to hear when the older players say that our tennis 10 years ago was much better. For me, it is complete opposite. These guys, however fit they are, it is ridiculous. They are athletes. Before, may be, there are 10 great athletes. Now, you have 150. I think tennis is getting much more competitive," he said.

The 39-year-old German, who had a career high ATP Singles Ranking of 5 is hopeful of Chennai putting its best foot forward in the CTL.

Meanwhile, India's young player Vishnu Vardhan felt that the CTL provided an opportunity for upcoming players like him as they can benefit from the advice of stars on the international circuit.

The timing of the tournament ahead of a fresh tennis season, starting in January, is also apt as it gives scope for preparation, he said.