Charlie Robertson: Andy Murray mentee making his mark at US Open | ATP Tour

US Open

Charlie Robertson: As soon as a future farmer, Murray mentee making his mark at US Open

Be taught in regards to the 17-year-old Scot

September 05, 2024

Briton Jack Draper has stepped into the solar on the US Open, advancing to his maiden main semi-final within the first Grand Slam event since former World No. 1 Andy Murray’s retirement. However Draper just isn’t the one Briton making his mark in New York.

Seventeen-year-old Charlie Robertson is into the semi-finals of the boys’ singles occasion and two victories from turning into the primary British boys’ singles champion at Flushing Meadows since Oliver Golding in 2011.

“It’s clearly extra spectacular from Jack attending to the semi-finals of the lads’s,” Robertson instructed ATPTour.com. “However I’m so comfortable for him. I additionally hit with him at Queen’s and he seemed like he’s been working so laborious and he’s a very nice man, additionally. It’s simply cool to see one other Brit that’s doing so effectively.

“I believe it’s simply nice for everybody in British tennis. For me when persons are doing effectively, you go like, ‘I need to get to what he’s like as effectively’. It’s going to be huge for British tennis in a constructive means.”

Robertson grew up on a farm within the north of Scotland. His older sister, Kirsty (23), and older brother, Harry (21), have been in a tennis class. Charlie was too younger to take part, however from the age of 4 he would hit in opposition to the wall. His efforts have been spectacular sufficient to be positioned within the class regardless of his age and he instantly cherished it. However the Scot additionally loved time at residence.

“Out of my brother and my sister, I used to be truly into the farm and the animals,” Robertson stated. “I used to take care of the sheep, that’s what I bought. I actually cherished it. I believe my dad thought I used to be going to be a farmer, however I simply loved sports activities an excessive amount of and tennis I cherished, so I made a decision to go for that.”

As Robertson improved, it was clear he needed to transfer to the GB Nationwide Tennis Academy on the College of Stirling for the perfect coaching.

“We needed to promote our farm to afford someplace to remain in Stirling, a house,” Robertson stated. “From there I stored taking part in and it was nice.”

The No. 23 participant within the ITF Junior Rankings, Robertson is already among the finest juniors on the earth. Unsurprisingly, Murray, who was already a Prime 20 participant within the PIF ATP Rankings when Robertson was born, was his position mannequin.

“Seeing him, a Scotsman do it’s so particular for me clearly. Being from Scotland, it’s unbelievable seeing a Scottish man doing so effectively. So for me, it was at all times Andy,” Robertson stated. “Andy’s at all times been my inspiration since I used to be little and to know that somebody can do it from the place you’ve educated and the place he’s educated and grown up, it’s an enormous inspiration.”

They’ve grown nearer this yr. Andy’s older brother, Jamie Murray, is the event director on the cinch Championships and invited Robertson to function a hitting companion.

“It was fairly particular. Me and Andy constructed our relationship there, in order that was very particular and I additionally bought the time to hit with Alcaraz, which I assumed was very nice,” Robertson stated. “It was solely as soon as, however he truly requested me once more to hit with him, which was fairly cool, however I truly needed to go play a event myself!”

Charlie Robertson : the Scottish teenager following in Andy’s footsteps, heads to New York for the US Open junior occasion subsequent month. He’s ranked 25 on the earth and has simply spent every week as Andy’s coaching companion.
Investing within the subsequent era. ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 pic.twitter.com/Xd6epWYQFi

— judy murray (@JudyMurray) July 23, 2024

Murray even had Robertson as a coaching companion forward of the Olympics, the ultimate event of his profession. Andy’s mom, Judy Murray, wrote: “It’s 20 years since Andy received the US Open junior occasion in 2004 and it’s nice to see him investing within the subsequent era. No higher and faster option to study than working alongside somebody who has been there and completed it.”

”I can’t thank the Murray household sufficient. They’ve given me a lot assist and I can’t thank them sufficient for backing me and backing a Scot. It’s actually particular,” Robertson stated. “For what he’s already completed for tennis and the way he’s giving again additionally now that it’s completed, it’s wonderful for me.”