Harriet Dart credits off-court changes with WTA Tour turnaround

Harriet Dart revealed extricating herself from a toxic relationship has helped her flourish on the court this season.

The 25-year-old broke into the top 100 for the first time earlier this year and has been in impressive form on the grass, reaching the quarter-finals in Nottingham last week and following that up with her first main draw victory in six attempts at the Rothesay Classic Birmingham on Monday.

Dart, currently ranked 106, showed her confidence on grass with an emphatic 6-2 6-0 victory over world number 61 Camila Osorio, breaking the demoralised Colombian’s serve six times.

Make that 7⃣ WINS against players in the top 100 this year

@harriet_dart #BackTheBrits | #RothesayClassic pic.twitter.com/t6mP2Vg7OY

— LTA (@the_LTA) June 13, 2022

Dart’s strong results have helped her believe she belongs at the top level, but changes in her life away from the court have been just as important.

“I went through a really bad personal time that was not a fun time in my life last year and I really had to work on a lot of things,” she said.

“I’m a lot happier now, I have a nice boyfriend now, which is nice. I went through a bad relationship, it was very toxic, and I do believe, if you’re happier off the court, you’re happier on the court. It’s like any job, if you bring things from home into the workplace, it’s very challenging.

“I definitely feel like I belong a lot more. In previous years I’ve had some good results, but I’ve lost some pretty close matches.

“To be able to come through a close match last week against a good player like Camila Giorgi, especially when she’s had some good results on grass. It’s not just about doing well here, it’s about doing well the whole year. I feel like I’ve made steps in that way.”

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