HEATHER WATSON has been using an electric Lime bike to travel to a new tennis event in south-west London – after being driven mad by a stolen car saga.
A first WTA tournament at Queen’s Club in Baron’s Court since 1973 works well for Watson because it is only a 10-minute cycle ride from her flat.
While some of her rivals will jump in official cars to and from the venue, the British No.7 prefers two wheels instead, a much greener mode of transportation.
Her preference are the green-and-white Lime bikes, which can reach a top speed of 15mph and are easily accessible for anyone living in the capital.
Watson – who won the Wimbledon mixed doubles title with Finn Henri Kontinen in 2016 – had her car stolen in the summer of 2023.
The Guernsey-born ace’s Range Rover was nicked from an underground car park at her West London home on the night she belatedly celebrated her 31st birthday with friends.
It happened in the week before the grass-court season started and at the time, she said she was pulling her hair out dealing with a time-consuming insurance company.
A tracking company told her the vehicle was gone and though it was eventually found by police – and taken to a Charlton car pound – her problems only started when it came to the “ball-ache” of dealing with the insurance detail.
On Thursday afternoon, qualifier Watson was on her bike out of the premises as she lost 6-4 6-2 to former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.
After that defeat, she revealed to the media why she was shunning cars, saying: “(Bikes) are my means of transport.
“Since my car was stolen, and it’s just been the bane of my life, I’m in the process of selling it.
“Still such a pain. Don’t get a car. That’s my advice. I’m a Lime biker through and through.
“Rain or shine, I’m on my bike, that’s how I get to the NTC (National Tennis Centre) every day.
“That’s how I got home yesterday from the site because it takes ten minutes.
“I love cycling, and I feel like it’s kind of a type of meditation for me, as well.
“I just really enjoy being out in the fresh air cycling. It’s a great warmup, about 20 minutes from where I live to the NTC, so it’s perfect for me.
“I won’t be getting another car. I’m a cyclist. They used to drive me crazy, but now I’m one of them, and I have a different perspective.
“How was my car stolen? Oh, I won’t bore you, but a couple years ago it got stolen.
“And it’s just been breaking down ever since. Insurance? Biggest scam ever. They just try and rinse you.
“Yeah, disaster. I get discriminated against because I’m an athlete. So your prices are already….forget the cars. Not forever, but for now.”
Watson is not the only sports star to be benefiting from Lime Bikes recently.
The England Test team took up the mode of transport ahead of the match against the West Indies.
Read the full article here