By Sandra Harwitt

When Heather Watson and compatriot Laura Robson get together they don’t  spend their time talking tennis, although they could have plenty to discuss. The 22-year-old Watson had a long bout with mononucleosis in 2013, and the 21-year-old Robson is currently on the rehab path from wrist surgery. 

“We don’t talk about that (a projected timeline for Robson’s comeback) together, but when I was training in the offseason in Florida she was there so I saw her a bit,” said Watson, who arrived at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships feeling under-the-weather and lost her first round match to Ukrainian qualifier Kateryna Kozlova 6-4, 7-5 on Monday. “It’s not a fun thing to talk about that. We went to the movies and stuff like that but, you know, none of that stuff. But she must be having a really tough time being away from the game.”

It’s not surprising that the British hopefuls aren’t too keen to talk about things like forehands and backhands.

After all, there’s girl talk to be done. So what do they chat about? What would you expect two 20-something young ladies to discuss?

“Boys,” said Watson, laughing, when asked for specifics on where they’re conversations tend to veer. “TV shows and all that rubbish.”

So are the two friends likely to ever fight over one particular boy? Apparently not, according to Watson.

“No, we have different taste in boys, which is a good thing,” said Watson, smiling. “I don’t have a certain type. I like all types.”

And where does her friend Laura’s taste tend to stray?

“Laura, I think everybody knows her crush is (Carolina Panthers quarterback) Cam Newton. He’s an American football player.”

And that’s your catch up on this edition of Girl Talk With Heather Watson.