One year ago, Southeastern Conference tennis programs such as Georgia, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt sought highly touted recruit Gordon Watson.
Watson was undecided on where he wanted to play collegiate tennis — until he visited Gainesville.
UF’s campus was Watson’s final visit, as he fell in love with the facilities and staff.
“It felt like home,” Watson said at the time. “I really loved the other schools on my list, but I realized that I wanted to continue my training in Florida after my visits.”
That Watson won his first collegiate tournament in the same city he fell in love with was only fitting.
Watson defeated North Florida’s Moritz Buerchner in three sets Monday morning by a score of 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, to win the Bedford Cup.
“I got to the finals, felt pretty good,” Watson said. “I knew Moritz Buerchner had tough matches [Sunday]. I decided to play steady and make him work. I knew I could outlast him if it went three sets, and it did go three sets.”
Outlast is exactly what Watson did. After splitting the first two sets, Watson was seemingly quicker, stronger and fitter than his opponent.
“Once I got my confidence going, it kept going and going,” Watson said.
Watson’s momentum started in neither the third set of the finals nor the semis. Watson started his march to the finals in the round of 32, when he played No. 3 seed Benjamin Lock of FSU. Watson edged Lock 6-4, 6-4.
“It really boosted my confidence getting through the second round, beating Benjamin Lock,” Watson said. “It really lifted my spirits.”
What made his performance even more eye- opening? The Bedford Cup was only the redshirt freshman’s second time competing in a collegiate tournament.
Watson making an impact as fast as he has would have been difficult to imagine when he was signing his letter of intent.
“Being a freshman, it is a great experience,” Watson said. “I really didn’t expect any of this coming in. It is what it is, and I wouldn’t give it up for the world.”
Florida redshirt freshman Gordon Watson hits a ball during the Bedford Cup on Sept. 15, 2012, at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex.
