For the second year in a row there's a British Wimbledon winner. Last year Jamie Murray had his moment in the sun, this year Laura Robson won the girls junior event. At long last it looks like British tennis is heading in the right direction.
To put her achievement in context it's worth remembering that players up to 18 can enter the tournament and Robson is only 14. And en route to the title she beat both the No 1 and No 3 seed.
All the signs are that she has a bright future ahead. But it's also worth remembering that the previous British women's player to win junior Wimbledon, Annabel Croft, never made it past the third round of a Slam and quit the game at 21.
So it's great to have a potential future star but it's not a given that she will be able to make the step up. The good news is she seems so grounded and normal that I don't think the success will stop her putting in the required work.
But hey, we can worry about the future another day. For the time being lets bask in the glory of another Brit winning on grass!
Click here to see brief highlights from the BBC including a down the line winner Federer would be proud of.
4 comments:
Congrats Steve, on a new British champion! They showed the end of the match and some of her post match comments on NBC network in the States, and I thought she was charming. And you're right, it's a good sign that she's winning so young and with such a good attitude. She must have that killer instinct inside of her - and that separates a good player from a great one.
Well done Laura. I watched her semi final and final. I thought after the second set in the final she may be just another gallant British loser.
It is great to think that we Brits will have someone to cheer in the coming years in the women's game.
To win a junior Slam at 14 is a pretty amazing feat, and especially to beat two out of the top three seeds. Congratulations!
hi all, thanks for the comments.
I think she is the real deal but we've been here before with British juniors!
Pat Cash made an interesting point on the radio yesterday. He pointed out that in the womens game the best players turn pro young, some as young as 14 or 15.
So Laura did well - really well - but she didnt beat the best 15, 16 or 17 year olds, because they are already on the pro tour.
Either way, I think everyone is agreed. Great result but she's got to keep working and keep progressing.
Post a Comment