SA coach to mentor British tennis star

British tennis star Heather Watson has appointed former SA Davis Cup captain John-Laffnie de Jager as her new coach.

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Durban – British tennis star Heather Watson has appointed former South African Davis Cup captain John-Laffnie de Jager as her new coach.

Watson is former British female No 1 and current No 2 behind Australian-born Johanna Konta.

“We were talking after the US Open and just putting plans in place,” said Watson. “He is full-time but this will be a trial period to see how it goes because we are just getting to know each other.”

Watson had been without a coach since splitting with Diego Veronelli earlier in 2016.

A few months ago, she enjoyed the biggest highlight of her career when she won the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon with Henri Kontinen of Finland.

In her junior career, Watson won the US Open and gold at the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games. She had been as high as No 3 in the world on the ITF junior circuit.

– ANA