I see Heather's been trying to keep her latest romantic attachment to some beardy-weirdy ginger quiet, by passing herself off as an American actress...

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/01/meghan-markle-begins-royal-induction-with-nottingham-walkabout-prince-harry

Coup Droit wrote:

---

While Liam has been getting all the spotlight for his views on gender parity, Heather has found herself in hot water by stating that women should not have a PR when they come back from pregnancy absence because having a baby is a choice.

Lots of angry players and rather taken aback journalists.

But everyone's entitled to a view ....

---

Precisely. It's the "you're entitled to your opinion as long as you agree with me" that strikes me as rather arrogant. We all have different opinions about lots of issues. What happened to the "agree to disagree" approach?

Well, a distinctly different view offered by Katie Swan in the interview referenced in the topic on her just below.

Ok, ok, ok, guess it didn't end well......


Heather WatsonVerified account
@HeatherWatson92

When you bump into your ex...

pbs.twimg.com/media/C1lI6SkVQAESF6e.jpg

I can understand Hev's view, and I do feel she ie entitled to it, we have absolutely no idea what goes on in other people's lives and the sacrifices people make. Different people manage maternity in very different ways, all of which have to be respected and if possible facilitated. Ignoring the opinions of those that choose to defer or just not have a child is also discriminatory as they are effected, it is great that Hev has made the point although controversial. It does make you think, what are the maternity benefits of a player who is a member of the WTA?? Contractually are there any?? The WTA doesn't strike me as cerebral enough to have a view it is more concerned about the immediate reintegration of Meldonium users.

Generally I think having babies is a very good thing and in this case Serena has made a choice and is now blessed with a child that I would anticipate giving her and her husband much joy. In the greater scheme of things being seeded in tennis tournaments she will rapidly dominate is neither here nor there. She is perhaps the greatest female player that has ever played the game, it was a great story seeing her come back against an element of adversity and her reputation is also enhanced imensley.

The world does move on over a year or so and one has to consider the equity of the situation. Not so much with seeding but with extrapolating to protecting players ranks close to the acceptance level for major tournaments with guaranteed first round prize money. Hev would have some appreciation of the significance of this as of course inserting a player as a seed again squeezes the bottom end.

Serena was not injured indeed she is in a position to manage her pregnancy in a way that may confer a physiologically advantage, the physiological advantage conferred on distance athletes after they have had a baby is often quoted. Serena knows the level of fitness she requires to be competitive, she was always going to be competitive although perhaps not being in optimal shape and this was more about retaining an edge than equity. The safest way is the status quo as the last thing you want is someone coming back too early because it is in their best interests to.

For Serena it was a choice, a good one, a wildcard to ATP tour events and Slams is entirely appropriate for anyone inside the cut off is more than enough and probably the fairest way for players near the acceptance cut off. Once your in it you can win it and ideally you should be in the shape of your life to do it.

Its hilariously put by Hev. Good on her for being able to laugh about it.

She seems like such a lovely person, she deserves someone lovely too. I guess she can always play the whos got the best CH game!

She didnt seem herself this summer, unusually grumpy with umpires etc. Last year she seemed to relish being in UK for the grass season. Lets hope shell be back to herself again soon.