Laura Robson - One of the 2011 Players to Watch
Laura Robson has made considerable gains as a pro on the WTA tour. In 2010 Laura reached the final of the Hopman Cup, notched a new career high ranking and defeated former world number four Jelena Dokic.
The Aussie born player began learning her trade at just six years old. By age seven she was hitting in her first tennis academy on a well planned route to stardom. Just ten years down the line Robson now has all the assets to cause senior players problems.
A natural lefty, her main strength is a powerful serve. This tool has helped Laura dispatch numerous juniors, and with added consistency, can help her cause serious upsets.
The hard-hitting Junior Wimbledon Champion has the right technique and dedication to compete for big points in 2011. If Laura can add improved movement to her already comprehensive ‘shot locker’ there will be little weakness for senior players to exploit.
Defeating Jelena Dokic in straight sets at this year’s US Open is further evidence that the 16 year-old has what it takes to become a top ranked player. Other 2010 highlights include advancing to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open doubles (after being granted a wildcard) and reaching the final of the Junior Slam.
Grand Slam Champion Pat Cash and tennis guru Nick Bollettieri are just a few of the names who have seen star quality in the tennis teenager. Laura has also attracted many big name sponsors including Adidas, Wilson and Robinsons.
The left hander’s best surface is hard court, but being a British player she will inevitably have the task of tailoring her game for the home crowd at this year’s Wimbledon Championships. Last year Laura put in a battling centre court display against fourth seed Jelena Jankovic, eventually losing 6-3, 7-6 (7-5).
The young Brit recently split with long term coach Martijn Bok and is now seeking a mentor to take her to the next stage. Robson will be increasing her tournament calendar next season and her Dutch instructor did not wish to fulfill a busier schedule.
The 17 year-old hopes to have a new coach by the start of the season, where she will begin her campaign in the Hopman Cup. Laura will be joining forces with fellow Brit Andy Murray in the mixed doubles event.
2011 will bring a new schedule accompanied by fresh anticipation around the ambitious teenager. Laura is tipped to break into the top 100 this season – with the right coach I wouldn‘t bet against her.
The Stats
Country: Great Britain
Residence: London
Date of Birth: 21stJanuary 1994
Height: 5’ 10”
Favourite Surface: Hard
Plays: Left handed (double handed backhand)
Highest Ranking: 189 (18 Oct 2010)
Oliver Ewbank has worked as a professional tennis coach, as well as freelance sports journalist. He has also edited various online sports publications.
I don’t think Dokic was ever the world number one.
Author’s note: Thanks for the catch. The article has been edited.
Robson has a very good game when I saw her play at last year’s Hopman Cup (she beat Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez there.)
BTW, Dokic was never ranked #1. Her highest was #4, I think…
I was impressed with Robson’s win over Martinez Sanchez at the Hopman Cup also. It would be nice for the UK to have a top player to go with Andy Murray. As with so many 17 year olds, it is difficult to say where they will end up. We don’t seem to have young phenoms since Sharapova won Wimbledon. I may be wrong about that but I can’t think of any. Wozniacki did make a major final when she was 19, but failed in it last year. So all of the young players need not just work on their tennis but also the pressure that comes with others anticipating great results. Look at Oudin. After her quarterfinal run in 2009 at the USO, she felt a lot of pressure to succeed.
Laura is the most talented of the current 16-year-olds that I know (she turns 17 in January). She has groundstrokes of flairsome power, a tricky left-handed serve, and she matches up well against such top players as #16 Yanina Wickmayer (5-7 4-6 at Birmingham) and #4 Jelena Jankovic (3-6 6-7 at Wimbledon).
But she has a lot of work to do on her consistency, and on a bad day, her attitude can leave much to be desired.
It’s hard to predict which of today’s youngsters will rise to the top of women’s tennis, as many will fall by the wayside while others have yet to reveal themselves, but Laura certainly has a lot going for her at this early stage of her career.
Great article! Looking forward to seeing Laura Robson progress next year! As a fellow female Brit I’m looking forward to seeing her at Wimbledon next summer.
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