Aegon Classic: Birmingham becoming a home from home for Heather Watson

The British No.2 is a regular visitor to the city where her boyfriend and fellow tennis player Lloyd Glasspool was born.

Next week she will be back again, this time on business as the Aegon Classic once again returns to the courts of Edgbaston’s Priory Club.

First held in 1982, the tournament has experienced a steady increase in prestige and this year boasts its strongest ever field, including British No.1 and current world No.8 Johanna Konta, along with two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova.

“It’s a tournament which really seems to have taken off in the past few years and you can see that with the strength and depth of the field they have there this year,” said Watson.

“It’s a really good venue and I always look forward to it.”

These few weeks are typically Watson’s favourite stretch of the season, a chance to play on her preferred surface of grass and a rare, extended stay in the UK when home is never more than a couple of hours drive away.

“When I played at the Surbiton Trophy last week, I’m pretty sure it was the first time in my career I have ever gone home and slept in my own bed at night,” said Watson, who lives in London.

“The tennis season is one of the longest in sport and it can be relentless at times.

“People might think it is glamorous but in truth there is a lot of waiting around alone at airports and hotel rooms.

“I don’t want to sound like I am moaning because it is what I have always wanted to do. But it can get intense at times and it is always nice to be in a position where you know home is not that far away.

“I have been spending a lot of time in Birmingham recently and I really like the city. I’ve actually done quite a bit of training at the Priory Club in the indoor courts.

“Could you call it a second home? I guess you could, yes.”

Watson reached the final at Surbiton before losing out to Slovakian Magdalena Rybarikova. And though she then went on to make a first round singles exit at the Nottingham Open, the 25-year-old remains happy with her form and in confident mood ahead of her arrival in Birmingham.

Much of that, she claims is down to her new backroom team of Morgan Phillips and Colin Beecher. Watson spent close to a year without a coach before turning to the experienced pair.

“I was on my own for a long time, I just never found the right people I could trust,” she says. “Now I am feeling really good about my game. I feel confident. It is one game at a time but my aim is to get back into the world top 100 by the end of the year.”

Watson will team up with Henri Kontinen at Wimbledon next month, where they will be attempt to defend their mixed doubles title. Yet thoughts of the All England Club, she insists, remain far from my mind.

“I am not even thinking about it,” said Watson. “I love the grass court season and I always play every week of it. I want to play as much tennis as I can.”

n The Aegon Classic begins today and runs until next Sunday, June 25. For more information and tickets visit www.lta.org.uk/major-events/aegon-classic-birmingham/