Charlie Robertson: Once a future farmer, Murray mentee making his mark at US Open

Briton Jack Draper has stepped into the sun at the US Open, advancing to his maiden major semi-final in the first Grand Slam tournament since former World No. 1 Andy Murray’s retirement. But Draper is not the only Briton making his mark in New York.

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

“It’s obviously more impressive from Jack getting to the semi-finals of the men’s,” Robertson told ATPTour.com. “But I’m so happy for him. I also hit with him at Queen’s and he looked like he’s been working so hard and he’s a really nice guy, also. It’s just cool to see another Brit that’s doing so well.

“I think it’s just great for everyone in British tennis. For me when people are doing well, you go like, 'I want to get to what he’s like as well'. It’s going to be massive for British tennis in a positive way.”

Robertson grew up on a farm in the north of Scotland. His older sister, Kirsty (23), and older brother, Harry (21), were in a tennis class. Charlie was too young to participate, but from the age of four he would hit against the wall. His efforts were impressive enough to be placed in the class despite his age and he immediately loved it. But the Scot also enjoyed time at home.

“Out of my brother and my sister, I was actually into the farm and the animals,” Robertson said. “I used to look after the sheep, that’s what I got. I honestly loved it. I think my dad thought I was going to be a farmer, but I just enjoyed sports too much and tennis I loved, so I decided to go for that.”

As Robertson improved, it was clear he had to move to the GB National Tennis Academy at the University of Stirling for the best training.

“We had to sell our farm to afford somewhere to stay in Stirling, a home,” Robertson said. “From there I kept playing and it was great.”

The No. 23 player in the ITF Junior Rankings, Robertson is already one of the best juniors in the world. Unsurprisingly, Murray, who was already a Top 20 player in the PIF ATP Rankings when Robertson was born, was his role model.

“Seeing him, a Scotsman do it is so special for me obviously. Being from Scotland, it’s unbelievable seeing a Scottish guy doing so well. So for me, it was always Andy,” Robertson said. “Andy’s always been my inspiration since I was little and to know that someone can do it from where you’ve trained and where he’s trained and grown up, it’s a massive inspiration.”

They have grown closer this year. Andy’s older brother, Jamie Murray, is the tournament director at the cinch Championships and invited Robertson to serve as a hitting partner.

“It was quite special. Me and Andy built our relationship there, so that was very special and I also got the time to hit with Alcaraz, which I thought was really nice,” Robertson said. “It was only once, but he actually requested me again to hit with him, which was quite cool, but I actually had to go play a tournament myself!”

Charlie Robertson : the Scottish teenager following in Andy’s footsteps, heads to New York for the US Open junior event next month. He’s ranked 25 in the world and has just spent a week as Andy’s training partner.
Investing in the next generation. ❤️??????? pic.twitter.com/Xd6epWYQFi

Murray even had Robertson as a training partner ahead of the Olympics, the final tournament of his career. Andy’s mother, Judy Murray, wrote: “It’s 20 years since Andy won the US Open junior event in 2004 and it’s great to see him investing in the next generation. No better and quicker way to learn than working alongside someone who has been there and done it.”

”I can’t thank the Murray family enough. They’ve given me so much support and I can’t thank them enough for backing me and backing a Scot. It’s really special,” Robertson said. “For what he’s already done for tennis and how he’s giving back also now that it’s done, it’s amazing for me.”

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