Charlie Robertson, who has spent formative time with his idol and former World No. 1 Andy Murray, has never lacked a benchmark for what it takes to reach the top of the game.
This week in Jeddah, however, the 19-year-old Scot is finding fresh motivation at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, where he is gaining invaluable experience as a hitting partner. Surrounded by the sport’s brightest 20-and-under talents, Robertson is using the opportunity as a fuel for his own ambitions.
“Being here gives me inspiration, 100 per cent,” Robertson told ATPTour.com on centre court in Jeddah, in between practice sessions with Nishesh Basavareddy and Alexander Blockx. “Just being around everyone here is really special. Seeing people here who I've competed with in juniors, it gives me that extra motivation after this to try and make it here next year. That would be pretty cool.”
Robertson has bumped into familiar faces from his junior days, including Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, the Norwegian who edged him in the semi-finals of last year’s US Open boys’ singles event and has since surged to four ATP Challenger Tour titles in 2025.
Another compelling reminder of what can be achieved in a short space of time is Rafael Jodar, whose rise offers a tangible pathway Robertson hopes to emulate. After serving as a hitting partner in Jeddah last year and beginning 2025 ranked World No. 895 — 30 places lower than where Robertson currently sits — the Spaniard climbed more than 700 spots across the season to secure his place in the field.
“Seeing how the tournament works here and just playing a big tournament, I think it's good motivation,” said Robertson, who reached his first ATP Challenger Tour semi-final last month in Egypt. “I'm learning things every day from watching everyone play. As long as I'm just focused and doing the right things, I believe in myself that I can get there.”
Robertson’s path into tennis began almost organically, tagging along to lessons with his brother and sister even before he was old enough to get involved himself. What started as hitting balls against the wall quickly turned into competition and steady progress.
Now 19 and competing as a sophomore for Wake Forest University, time and support remains on his side to continue developing — just as the player and countryman he grew up idolising once did.
“He's really good at giving advice,” Robertson said of Murray, the three-time major champion. “If I ask him any questions, he gives me the honest answer and really what he thinks, and he's given me a lot of advice in the past years. He's been my biggest inspiration in tennis, so to hear that from him is incredible.”
Robertson also served as a hitting partner for Carlos Alcaraz at the ATP 500 at Queen’s Club last year. Yet even that pales in comparison to stepping on court with Andy and his brother Jamie Murray, both of whom have provided invaluable advice.
“I hit with Alcaraz at Queen’s and that was pretty special, but honestly, whenever I'm on court with Andy, it's like the most special thing for me,” Robertson said. “It's just crazy when I'm playing with Andy as I grew up watching him and then now I'm hitting with him.
“I actually hit a little bit more with Jamie when I was younger, but the Murray brothers… Just seeing them and seeing what they've done, especially being Scottish, is amazing.”
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.
— judy murray (@JudyMurray) July 23, 2024
Investing in the next generation. ❤️🏴 pic.twitter.com/Xd6epWYQFi
There are further parallels with Robertson and his idol in the team around him, with Matt Little — a longtime figure in Murray’s camp — now playing a key role in his own progression.
“He's been a massive help for me,” Robertson said of the strength and conditioning coach. “He's the best, I have so much respect for him. He does a really good job with me, so I'm really, really lucky to have him by my side.”
With inspiration all around him in Jeddah and a clear pathway taking shape, Robertson’s ambitions are becoming increasingly tangible. Armed with a focused mindset and a positive attitude, the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF could soon represent not just motivation, but a realistic destination.
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