Charlie Robertson, Murray's protege, utilizing Subsequent Gen ATP Finals as springboard

Subsequent Gen ATP Finals

Charlie Robertson, Murray’s protege, utilizing Subsequent Gen ATP Finals as springboard

19-year-old Scot is a hitting associate in Jeddah this week

December 21, 2025

Charlie Robertson, who has spent formative time along with his idol and former World No. 1 Andy Murray, has by no means lacked a benchmark for what it takes to achieve the highest of the sport.

This week in Jeddah, nonetheless, the 19-year-old Scot is discovering recent motivation on the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals introduced by PIF, the place he’s gaining invaluable expertise as a hitting associate. Surrounded by the game’s brightest 20-and-under abilities, Robertson is utilizing the chance as a gas for his personal ambitions.

“Being right here provides me inspiration, 100 per cent,” Robertson instructed ATPTour.com on centre court docket in Jeddah, in between observe classes with Nishesh Basavareddy and Alexander Blockx. “Simply being round everybody right here is admittedly particular. Seeing individuals right here who I’ve competed with in juniors, it provides me that further motivation after this to attempt to make it right here subsequent 12 months. That might be fairly cool.”

Robertson has ran into acquainted faces from his junior days, together with Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, the Norwegian who edged him within the semi-finals of final 12 months’s US Open boys’ singles occasion and has since surged to 4 ATP Challenger Tour titles in 2025.

One other compelling reminder of what may be achieved in a brief area of time is Rafael Jodar, whose rise affords a tangible pathway Robertson hopes to emulate. After serving as a hitting associate in Jeddah final 12 months and starting 2025 ranked World No. 895 — 30 locations decrease than the place Robertson presently sits — the Spaniard climbed greater than 700 spots throughout the season to safe his place within the subject.

“Seeing how the event works right here and simply taking part in a giant event, I feel it is good motivation,” stated Robertson, who reached his first ATP Challenger Tour semi-final final month in Egypt. “I am studying issues every single day from watching everybody play. So long as I am simply targeted and doing the correct issues, I consider in myself that I can get there.”

Robertson’s path into tennis started virtually organically, tagging alongside to classes along with his brother and sister even earlier than he was sufficiently old to get entangled himself. What began as hitting balls in opposition to the wall rapidly become competitors and regular progress.

Now 19 and competing as a sophomore for Wake Forest College, time and assist stays on his aspect to proceed growing — simply because the participant and countryman he grew up idolising as soon as did.

“He is actually good at giving recommendation,” Robertson stated of Murray, the three-time main champion. “If I ask him any questions, he provides me the sincere reply and actually what he thinks, and he is given me plenty of recommendation previously years. He is been my greatest inspiration in tennis, so to listen to that from him is unbelievable.”

Robertson additionally served as a hitting associate for Carlos Alcaraz on the ATP 500 at Queen’s Membership final 12 months. But even that pales compared to stepping on court docket with Andy and his brother Jamie Murray, each of whom have supplied invaluable recommendation.

“I hit with Alcaraz at Queen’s and that was fairly particular, however actually, every time I am on court docket with Andy, it is like essentially the most particular factor for me,” Robertson stated. “It is simply loopy after I’m taking part in with Andy as I grew up watching him after which now I am hitting with him.

“I truly hit a bit of bit extra with Jamie after I was youthful, however the Murray brothers… Simply seeing them and seeing what they’ve carried out, particularly being Scottish, is superb.”

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 planet and has simply spent per week as Andy’s coaching associate. Investing within the subsequent era. ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 pic.twitter.com/Xd6epWYQFi

— judy murray (@JudyMurray) July 23, 2024

There are additional parallels with Robertson and his idol within the crew round him, with Matt Little — a longtime determine in Murray’s camp — now taking part in a key function in his personal development.

“He is been a large assist for me,” Robertson stated of the energy and conditioning coach. “He is one of the best, I’ve a lot respect for him. He does a very good job with me, so I am actually, actually fortunate to have him by my aspect.”

With inspiration throughout him in Jeddah and a transparent pathway taking form, Robertson’s ambitions have gotten more and more tangible. Armed with a targeted mindset and a constructive angle, the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals introduced by PIF may quickly characterize not simply motivation, however a practical vacation spot.