Andy Murray's legacy is inspiring Scottish teenager Charlie Robertson’s quest for junior Wimbledon glory.
Dundee-born player Robertson, 17, advanced to the second round of the boys’ singles earlier this week with a battling three-set triumph over German Max Schoenhaus.
Robertson seized the first set 6-4 and despite Schoenhaus levelling to tee up a nervy decider, the Scot edged over the line with a 6-4 2-6 6-3 victory on Court 3.
Limited play was possible on a drizzling Tuesday in SW19 as Robertson – and all other young British stars – were frustratingly forced to wait until they took to the grass once again.
But ahead of his second round showdown with ninth seed Jangjun Kim, Robertson revelled in reflecting on Murray’s influence after the two-time Wimbledon champion was given an emotional farewell on Centre Court last week.
“I love Andy – he’s been a huge source of inspiration for me since I was little,” he said.
“He’s been a massive help to my tennis – he’s just a massive inspiration, being a Scottish player and trying to be like him, all of the help he’s given to British tennis has been special, so I really like Andy.
“I’m obviously really happy I got through my first round – I wouldn’t say it was totally easy and it was a tight match, but I’m really happy to get through and win.
“I had a pretty solid first set and then I just lost a bit of focus – I managed to regroup and was still pretty confident I was going to get it done, and I did.
“I’m trying my best to stay focused so I’m not distracted or tired.”
Robertson clinched an impressive victory against upcoming opponent Jangjun, 17, in the first round of the French Open earlier this summer.
The qualifier at Roland-Garros came from behind to grind out a 6-7 (4) 6-3 6-4 triumph and grab the psychological edge heading into their All England club showdown.
He then went onto beat American Alexander Razeghi in the second round before eventually succumbing to a 6-3 3-6 6-4 defeat against Pole Tomasz Berkieta.
Robertson took considerable confidence from that first round victory against the ninth seed and looking ahead to the contest, added: “I actually played him at Roland-Garros recently, so I can go in with more confidence and belief in myself.
“I won 6-4 in the third so I got it done, which can only be a good thing.”
Robertson, who recently finished studying at Dollar Academy, is also set to take to the boys’ doubles stage in SW19 where he will join forces with Berkieta – the man who sent him packing in Paris.
The young duo are seeded eighth and are set to take on Japanese star Naoya Honda and French player Nathan Trouvé in the opening round.
In addition to Robertson, a whole host of junior matches were cancelled on another drizzly day in south-west London.
Fellow boys players to advance Luke Hooper, Charlie Swaine and Mark Ceban will all have to wait to return to the court, while girls stars Hannah Klugman, Mimi Xu, Mika Stojsavljevic, Flora Johnson and Scottish player Hephzibah Oluwadare also had their matches postponed.
And so did Scottish wheelchair star Gordon Reid, whose tough-looking clash against third seed Gustavo Fernández will also now not take place until Wednesday.
Glasgow’s Reid, 32, is a remarkable 26-time Grand Slam champion and will be bidding for his seventh Wimbledon title when his 2024 campaign gets underway.
But he faces a tough test in Argentinian ace Fernández, an eight-time Grand Slam champion himself who will be looking to emulate his wheelchair singles exploits from when he won here back in 2019.
Other Scots who were unable to compete on Tuesday included Jamie Murray, who partnered brother Andy during their disappointing men’s doubles defeat against Rinky Hijikata and John Peers on Centre Court last Thursday.
That result was followed by an emotional farewell ceremony for Andy and while his mixed partner Emma Raducanu pulled out of their campaign with an injury, Jamie has united with American Taylor Townsend for their tilt at success.
The duo beat Colombian Nicolás Barrientos and Japanese player Miyu Kato 6-4 7-6 (5) on Court 2 to book a second round date with German Kevin Krawietz and Russian Alexandra Panova.
But they will have to wait until Wednesday to take to Court 12, while reigning men’s doubles champion Neal Skupski will also have to do the same alongside partner Michael Venus.
Skupski, who will face German duo Constantin Frantzen and Hendrik Jebens, said: “It’s a tough quarter-final against a tough German duo, but we’ll see what we can do.”
For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website
