Heather Watson will miss the Australian Open as she returns to training

Heather Watson has confirmed she will miss the Australian Open this month, but says she is on track to return from injury by the end of February.

The 33-year-old fell to 269th in the world and ninth in the British rankings after being out since late August due to a problem with her buttock tendon, her first major injury in her 17-year professional career.

She last played in the first round of qualifying for the US Open, having lost in the first round at Wimbledon on 1 July.

Watson, who won the mixed doubles at Wimbledon in 2016 and reached the women’s doubles quarter-finals two years later, recently resumed training.

In an Instagram post from Florida, where she is participating in winter training, Watson said she was looking forward to getting back on the field.

“I really missed my purpose and the daily challenge that tennis gives me,” she said.

“I can’t wait to get back competing again. Hopefully that will be at the end of February if all goes to plan.

“Losing Australia this year really hurt my heart, but it also lit a fire in me.”