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Laura Robson

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Laura Robson
Laura Robson in action during the 2009 Australian Open
Country (sports) United Kingdom
ResidenceWimbledon, London
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[1]
Turned pro2008
PlaysLeft-handed (two-handed backhand)
Prize money$7,641
Singles
Career record9-4
Career titles0 (1 ITF)
Highest ranking482 (8 June 2009)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open 
French Open 
Wimbledon1R 2009
US Open 
Australian Open JuniorF 2009
French Open Junior2R 2009
Wimbledon JuniorW 2008
US Open Junior 
Doubles
Career record1-2
Career titles0 (0 ITF)
Highest ranking961 (25 May 2009)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open 
French Open 
Wimbledon2R 2009
US Open 
Australian Open JuniorQF 2009
French Open Junior2R 2009
Wimbledon Junior1R 2008
US Open Junior 
Last updated on: 13 March 2009.

Laura Robson (born 21 January 1994) is a British tennis player. Initially an Australian citizen, she moved to the UK at an early age and first gained a British passport in early 2008.[2]

She debuted on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior tour in 2007, and a year later won the Wimbledon Junior Girls' Championship at the age of 14. She won her first professional tournament in November 2008, and in 2009, she made the final of the Australian Open Junior Girls' Championships. As of 8 June 2009, Robson is ranked number two on the ITF junior girls' ranking,[3] and has a Women's Tennis Association Tour (WTA) ranking of 485 (as of 2009 French Open). [4]

Early life and junior career

Robson was born on 21 January 1994 in Melbourne, Australia, the third child to Andrew, an oil executive with Royal Dutch Shell,[5] and Kathy Robson, a sports coach and former professional basketball player.[6] Robson and her family moved from Melbourne to Singapore when she was eighteen months old, and then to the UK when she was six.[7] According to her parents, she began playing tennis "as soon as she could hold a tennis racquet",[8] and after being encouraged by them, she entered a junior tennis academy at age 7.[9] She signed with management company Octagon when she was 10,[10] with Adidas at age 11,[11] and also signed a racquet deal with Wilson Sporting Goods.[10]After working with several coaches, including the head of the Lawn Tennis Association, Carl Maes, she chose her current coach, Martijn Bok, in 2007.[9] Bok said later that although Robson "had trouble staying emotionally under control", he "saw right away...a lot of potential in Laura."[9] Robson also began training at the National Tennis Centre,[8] under the guidance of Bok, Maes, and the head of women's tennis at the center, Nigel Sears,[9] while taking school lessons at home.[5]

Robson's first tournament on the junior ITF tour was in May 2007, where she went from the qualifying draw of the tournament to the quarterfinals.[12] She reached the final of two other tournaments in 2007, and won her first tournament in October.[12] In the first half of 2008, Robson reached the finals of three tournaments, but was also eliminated before the third round in three straight tournaments.[12]

Robson competed in her first junior grand slam at the Wimbledon girls' event, as an unseeded player.[13] As the youngest player in the tournament,[14] she beat first seed Melanie Oudin on her way to the finals, where she defeated third seed Noppawan Lertcheewakarn 6–3 3–6 6–1.[14] Her victory made her the first British player to win the girls' event since Annabel Croft in 1984, and the British media described her as the "new darling" of British tennis,[15] and the "Queen of Wimbledon".[16] However, former British tennis players such as Croft and Virginia Wade said that the "we have to be careful with the expectations we place on her",[17] and that Robson needed to "build her confidence".[18]

After a brief period on the main tour, Robson returned to junior competition but was knocked out in the second round of a tournament in December.[12] In the same month she played her final junior tournament of 2008, the Orange Bowl, where she had to retire in the third round with a stomach strain.[19] At the end of the year, she was shortlisted for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year,[20] but lost out to Paralympic swimmer Eleanor Simmonds.[21]

After recovering from her injury, Robson entered the 2009 Australian Open junior tournament, where she was seeded fifth. She faced a replay of the her Wimbledon finals in the semifinals against top seed Noppawan Lertcheewakarn,[22] whom she beat in straight sets, 6–4 6–3, to reach her second Grand Slam junior final. Facing third seed Ksenia Pervak from Russia,[23] Robson was defeated 6–3 6–1. She later attributed her loss to Pervak's greater consistency,[24] and her coach Bok said that "everybody has to be patient".[11] After the tournament, Robson started to train with Gil Reyes, the former trainer of Andre Agassi.[11] She was also named the MCC Young Sportswoman of the Year.[25] She claimed the top ranking of ITF junior tour in April, despite not playing for two months because of shin splints.[26] At the 2009 French Open Robson was the top seed in the junior's competition, but was defeated in round two by Sandra Zaniewska.

Professional career

Following her victory at Wimbledon, Robson made her debut on the ITF senior tour at a $10,000 tournament in Limoges, France.[27] She won two matches to qualify for the main draw of the tournament, as well as her first round match, before having to retire with a shoulder injury in the second round against the second seed, Marina Melnikova.[28]

Robson was then given a wildcard into the main draw of the $75,000 ITF in Shrewsbury, Great Britain.[29] After beating 2007 Wimbledon girls singles champion Urszula Radwańska and fourth seed Tzipi Obziler,[28] Robson lost to second seed Maret Ani in three sets in the semifinals.[30][31] She was given another wildcard into the $50,000 tournament in Barnstaple, Great Britain, but was defeated in three sets in her first round match against the seventh seed Angelique Kerber,[32] who later said that it was "unbelievable how she's playing".[33]

Robson in action during the 2008 Wimbledon Championships

Her first match on the WTA tour was courtesy of a wildcard into the 2008 Fortis Championships in Luxembourg City. She was drawn in the first round against world number 42, Iveta Benešová but lost 1–6, 6–2, 6–3.[32] Returning to the ITF circuit, Robson entered as the fifth seed in the $10,000 event held in Sunderland, England.[34] After beating third seed Laura-Ioana Andrei in the quarterfinals, she beat fellow Britons Tara Moore and Samantha Vickers in straight sets to win her first ITF title at the age of 14 years and 9 months.[34][35]

On 9 June, Wimbledon announced that Robson received a wildcard for the Ladies' Singles event at the 2009 Wimbledon Championships.[36][37] She faced Daniela Hantuchova in the first round and lost in three sets, after winning the first set.

Playing style

Robson plays lefthanded,[38] with a two-handed backhand. One of her strengths is her "dominant" serve,[38] which has been described as "the chief reason she can dominate most juniors".[39] However, she has been criticized for having "poor lateral movement".[39] She has been praised for showing "extraordinary poise",[39] and having the "the attitude and technique required of a leading player".[40] Commentator Simon Reed said that she "has every tool she needs",[41] and former Grand Slam champion Pat Cash called her "a special talent" who "seems to have all the attributes to progress".[42] Current WTA star Ana Ivanovic said that Robson "hits the ball really, really hard",[32] and former British top player Samantha Smith said that "she doesn't have any weaknesses at all".[16]

Career finals

Titles

Legend
Grand Slam (0)
Tour Championships (0)
Premier (0)
International (0)
ITF Event (1)
Titles by surface
Hard (1)
Clay (0)
Grass (0)
Carpet (0)
No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent in the final Score
1 9 November 2008 Sunderland $10,000 Hard United Kingdom Samantha Vickers 6–3 6–2

Major Junior Finals

No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent in the final Score Result
1 3 July 2008 Wimbledon Grass Thailand Noppawan Lertcheewakarn 6–3 3–6 6–1 Win
2 31 January 2009 Australian Open Hard Russia Ksenia Pervak 3–6 1–6 Loss


Singles performance timeline

Template:Performance timeline legend

NM5 means an event that is neither a Premier Mandatory nor a Premier 5 tournament.


Tournament 2009 Career
Win-Loss
Grand Slam Tournaments
Australian Open A 0-0
French Open A 0-0
Wimbledon 1R 0-1
US Open 0-0
Win-Loss 0-1 0-0

References

  1. ^ WTA Tour Profile. http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/page/Player/Info/0,,12781~15680,00.html Retrieved on 26 July 2009
  2. ^ AAP (14 July 2008). "Wimbledon champion Laura Robson has been British for just four months". The Age. Retrieved 14 October 2008.
  3. ^ "ITF Junior Rankings". International Tennis Federation. Retrieved 3 February 2009.
  4. ^ Women's Tennis Association (2 June 2009). "Laura Robson Bio". Women's Tennis Association. {{cite web}}: Text "access date 2 June 2009" ignored (help)
  5. ^ a b "Things you didn't know about Laura Robson, the girl who became a star". Times Online. 6 July 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2008.
  6. ^ Addley, Esther (5 July 2008). "Never mind Murray. Look out for Laura". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 5 July 2008.
  7. ^ Bevan, Chris (3 July 2008). "Robson flies flag for Britain". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 4 July 2008.
  8. ^ a b "Laura Robson: The new darling of British tennis". Sunday Telegraph. 30 January 2009. Retrieved 6 February 2009.
  9. ^ a b c d Harman, Neil (7 July 2008). "Newcastle owner could be key to Laura Robson future". Times Online. Retrieved 7 February 2009.
  10. ^ a b Bierley, Steve (30 January 2009). "Grounded Robson benefits from support as second major final beckons". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 February 2009.
  11. ^ a b c Flatman, Barry (1 February 2009). "Laura Robson needs to toughen up". Times Online. Retrieved 6 February 2009.
  12. ^ a b c d "Juniors - Player Activity: Laura Robson". International Tennis Federation. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  13. ^ "Draws - Girls' Singles". Wimbledon.org. Retrieved 5 February 2009.
  14. ^ a b Newbery, Piers (5 July 2008). "Briton Robson wins girls' title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  15. ^ Watterson, Johnny (9 July 2008). "Reality will soon dawn for rising star". Irish Times. Retrieved 5 February 2009.
  16. ^ a b Cheese, Caroline (7 July 2008). "What now for Laura Robson?". BBC Online. Retrieved 5 February 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "Virginia Wade calls for caution over Laura Robson". The Mirror. 7 July 2008. Retrieved 5 February 2009.
  18. ^ Preston, Eleanor (8 July 2008). "It's tough, it's lonely and it's ruthless as you move up, Robson warned". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 February 2009.
  19. ^ Hodgkinson, Mark (20 December 2008). "Laura Robson is a doubt for Australian Open". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  20. ^ "Young Sports Personality: The top three". BBC. 28 November 2008. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
  21. ^ "Sports Personality 2008". BBC Sport. 14 December 2008. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
  22. ^ "Australian Open 2009 Draws - Girls' Singles". australianopen.com. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  23. ^ "Robson reaches Aussie Open final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  24. ^ "Pervak downs Robson in girls' singles decider". australianopen.com. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  25. ^ Maul, Rob (15 February 2009). "School comes first for our young stars". Times Online. Retrieved 15 February 2009.
  26. ^ Harman, Neil (2 April 2009). "Andy Murray backs Laura Robson to handle growing pains". Times Online. Retrieved 7 April 2009.
  27. ^ "$10,000 Limoges 2008". International Tennis Federation. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  28. ^ a b "Robson safely into LTA semi-final". BBC Sport. 26 September 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2009.
  29. ^ "Robson makes winning return". Sporting Life. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  30. ^ "$75,000 Shrewsbury 2008". International Tennis Federation. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  31. ^ Hodgkinson, Mark (27 September 2008). "Girls junior Wimbledon champion Laura Robson suffers semi-final loss in Shrewsbury". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  32. ^ a b c "Robson handed Luxembourg wildcard". BBC Sport. 9 October 2008. Retrieved 9 October 2008.
  33. ^ Newman, Paul (9 October 2008). "Robson secures rankings reward". The Independent. Retrieved 5 February 2009.
  34. ^ a b "$10,000 Sunderland Drawsheet". International Tennis Federation.
  35. ^ Hodgkinson, Mark (9 November 2008). "Laura Robson enjoys her maiden senior title". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  36. ^ "Wimbledon Website". Wimbledon Website. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
  37. ^ "Wimbledon Championships 2009 Wild Cards" (PDF). Wimbledon Website. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
  38. ^ a b Bierley, Steve (30 January 2009). "Robson reaches Australian Open final". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 February 2009.
  39. ^ a b c Pitt, Nick (6 July 2008). "Laura Robson dazzles with power and poise to win title". Times Online. Retrieved 6 February 2009.
  40. ^ "Laura Robson shows all the right qualities to continue her winning habit". Times Online. 26 September 2008. Retrieved 6 February 2009.
  41. ^ Reed, Simon (13 February 2009). "Simon Reed: Serena's Slam hopes". Eurosport Yahoo. Retrieved 15 February 2009.
  42. ^ Cash, Pat (25 January 2009). "Laura Robson: Steady as she goes". Times Online. Retrieved 15 February 2009.
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