Harriet Dart on recent success in Japan, her 2023 season and preparations for the Australian swing
As pre-season fever hits the National Tennis Centre (NTC) in Roehampton, Britain’s biggest tennis stars are getting their preparations underway for the 2024 campaign.
Amongst them is British No.3 Harriet Dart, who looks set to build on her strong finish to the 2023 season to inspire greater success in the year to come.
Dart closed out her season having made two WTA quarter-finals in Nottingham and Birmingham, three ITF singles finals and won the W100 Shrewsbury doubles title, as just a few of her highlights from the year.
Fresh off the back of making the W100 Takasaki final a couple of weeks ago, we caught up with Dart as she kick-started her training schedule at the NTC before setting her sights on the Australian swing.
“It definitely gives me extra confidence,” Dart said, reflecting on her impressive performances in Japan. “The start of the year was tricky for me and to be able to finish with a lot of matches played and a lot of matches won puts me in a good stead for next year for sure.
“It was tough to adjust out in Japan, but my coach said I adapted very quickly. I got there very late – left Monday morning, arrived Tuesday lunchtime, practiced for 40 minutes and then I got going the next day and played every day until the final. I think half of it is a mindset thing, you have to try and put yourself in a good position where anything can happen.
“I probably surprised myself in a lot of ways. Going in, my expectations were fairly low but at the same time I always hold myself to high standards and do my best even with the lack of preparation.
“I think having that quick turnaround can be a benefit – I’m the type of player who thinks into things a lot more than some others, which can be a good thing and a bad thing. In this instance, not having that time before the tournament, I just took it in my stride and took each day as it came, without thinking too far ahead.
Dart’s strong run of form came off the back of a call-up to play the final rubber of Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup Play-Off tie against Sweden in November.
With the Lexus GB Billie Jean King Cup team leading 2-1, Dart stepped up to defeat Caijsa Hennemann 7-5, 6-2 and with it, book the Brits place in the 2024 Qualifiers, where they’ll face repeat of this year’s tie against France.
“Playing for my country has always been one of the biggest honours and playing in a team environment brings the best out of me,” Dart said. “Having the opportunity to play in London, being a Londoner, was huge for me and I just wanted to soak it all up and enjoy every minute.
“This tie was probably the most enjoyable for me on the court – I think it definitely looked like it anyway!
“It was unexpected, my ranking dropped a lot so I wasn’t expecting to play but when you get the opportunity you grab it with both hands and do the best you can.
“They (France) took us out on home soil and we plan to do the same in France. They have a very experienced team and have some strong young players coming through, so they have good strength and depth – and so do we. There’s no reason why we can’t challenge them.”
Dart is looking to take the positives from what she described as a ‘mixed’ season. Going into next year, the aim is to keep in the present, build on her recent form, and potentially play some more doubles.
“I would sum up the season as long, challenging but also rewarding,” she explained. “As I said, I had a challenging first six months of the year, my ranking has been up and down more than any other year, but I think I’m in a good headspace and in a good place with my tennis as well. For me it’s really important to keep building on that, take each day as it comes and be more present.
“It depends on what my coach has in store for me (if she plays more doubles next year). I do enjoy playing with people that I’m super friendly with. It’s really hard with the ranking that I’m at to play too many doubles matches as you might have to play qualifying for your next event, which will usually overlap. Where possible I’ll definitely be looking to play doubles as well next year for sure.
“I’ll just be training here at the NTC, grinding away until Christmas now – I leave for Australia Christmas evening, but in the meantime, I’ve got a few other bits on. I’m actually hosting my family early on Christmas Day as well. It’s my first time but I cook a lot and find it quite therapeutic. I’ve got one of my friends to do a taste test already so hopefully it all goes to plan.”