Watson set to turn professional

Watson was the first British girl to win the US Junior Open

Guernsey's US Junior Open winner Heather Watson will turn professional by the end of the year.

The 17-year-old's father said she had planned to play college tennis in the United States but changed her mind after advice, including from the LTA.

Ian Watson said: "It seems the obvious thing to do now, she's got a belief she can get to the top."

He said she will turn pro in the next month or so, but she still wants to graduate with top grades next year.

Watson attends Pendleton College in Florida, but is currently in the UK to compete in the Aegon Pro Series $50,000 tournament in Barnstaple, Devon.

Ian Watson said: "After Barnstaple she'll probably be signing the pro forms and being pro from then on in.

"There is a big mindset change from wanting to go to a US college and play tennis to being a professional.

"You need a team, you need coaches, you need fitness people, you need advice, you need people putting a schedule together... you need people to open doors for you.

"Nick Bollettieri has got a network unsurpassed, especially in America but worldwide in tennis, and IMG are the biggest management agents. They can open tournament doors for Heather because some tournaments are not easy to get in and if you can't get into them you can't win them.

"Lots of doors will be opened as soon as she signs with IMG and of course in Europe and the UK given her standing now the LTA are opening those doors. The LTA have given her a wildcard into Barnstaple."

Watson went into the US Open as 11th seed in the girls' tournament, but came through against Laura Robson's conqueror Yana Buchina 6-4 6-1 in the final to claim the title.

After emulating the achievements of Andy Murray, who won the boy's title in 2004, Watson stated that she intended to play in more women's tournaments than juniors.

In September, Watson battled through qualifying to reach the main draw of the Saguenay ITF tournament before losing to world number 133 Valerie Tetreault in three sets.