Heather Watson decides against break from tennis after Miami loss

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Heather Watson and Ayumi Morita

British number one Heather Watson has decided to continue with her tennis schedule less than 24 hours after stating she would take a break.

Watson made the initial announcement on Tuesday after a first-round defeat for the second tournament in a row, saying she felt "burnt out".

But she told BBC Radio 5 live on Wednesday that she meant she wanted to return home to Guernsey for a few days.

"I'm going to carry on with my schedule," Watson said.

The 20-year-old lost 1-6 7-5 6-4 to Ayumi Morita of Japan in the first round of the Miami Masters on Tuesday, and has yet to win a match since reaching 39 in the world rankings.

Watson, who also lost to Irina-Camelia Begu in Indian Wells earlier this month, easily won the first set against Morita and raced into a 4-1 lead in the next.

But Morita, ranked 11 places below her young opponent, hit back to lead 5-4 and broke Watson again to force a decider.

The 23-year-old Japanese player secured two more breaks and completed victory in two hours 45 minutes when she converted a third match point.

Watson added: "I think after my match I just wasn't thinking straight and said things that could be interpreted in the wrong way.

"When I said I was burnt out and wanted to take a break, I meant I wanted to go home to Guernsey for a few days.

"I haven't been home to Guernsey since I left in December. I basically just want to put my racquet down for three or four days, have a rest and see my friends and family, as I haven't done that this year yet."

Watson is next scheduled to play at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, in the United States, starting on 1 April.

She is also set to play for Great Britain in their Fed Cup World Group II play-off against Argentina in Buenos Aires on 20 and 21 April.

Watson added: "I'll still play my normal schedule - Charleston in a week-and-a-half, and the Fed Cup, which are on my schedule, but I'll just have a few days off before that.

"This was my second year with the team getting to the play-offs and I felt so confident in our team of getting there. I'm looking forward to playing against Argentina, in Argentina."

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