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<\/p>\n Next Gen ATP Finals
\n Charlie Robertson, Murray’s protege, using Next Gen ATP Finals as springboard<\/p>\n
19-year-old Scot is a hitting partner in Jeddah this week<\/p>\n
December 21, 2025<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Corinne Dubreuil\/ATP Tour<\/p>\n
Charlie Robertson and Nishesh Basavareddy practise at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah.
\n By Jerome Coombe<\/p>\n
Charlie Robertson<\/a>, who has spent formative time with his idol and former World No. 1 Andy Murray<\/a>, has never lacked a benchmark for what it takes to reach the top of the game.<\/p>\n This week in Jeddah, however, the 19-year-old Scot is finding fresh motivation at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF<\/a>, where he is gaining invaluable experience as a hitting partner. Surrounded by the sport\u2019s brightest 20-and-under talents, Robertson is using the opportunity as a fuel for his own ambitions.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing here gives me inspiration, 100 per cent,\u201d Robertson told ATPTour.com on centre court in Jeddah, in between practice sessions with Nishesh Basavareddy<\/a> and Alexander Blockx<\/a>. \u201cJust 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Robertson has bumped into familiar faces from his junior days, including Nicolai Budkov Kjaer<\/a>, the Norwegian who edged him in the semi-finals of last year\u2019s US Open<\/a> boys\u2019 singles event and has since surged to four ATP Challenger Tour titles in 2025.<\/p>\n Another compelling reminder of what can be achieved in a short space of time is Rafael Jodar<\/a>, 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 \u2014 30 places lower than where Robertson currently sits \u2014 the Spaniard climbed more than 700 spots across the season to secure his place in the field.<\/p>\n \u201cSeeing how the tournament works here and just playing a big tournament, I think it’s good motivation,\u201d said Robertson, who reached his first ATP Challenger Tour semi-final last month in Egypt. \u201cI’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.\u201d<\/p>\n Robertson\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Now 19 and competing as a sophomore for Wake Forest University, time and support remains on his side to continue developing \u2014 just as the player and countryman he grew up idolising once did.<\/p>\n \u201cHe’s really good at giving advice,\u201d Robertson said of Murray, the three-time major champion. \u201cIf 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Robertson also served as a hitting partner for Carlos Alcaraz<\/a> at the ATP 500 at Queen\u2019s Club last year. Yet even that pales in comparison to stepping on court with Andy and his brother Jamie Murray<\/a>, both of whom have provided invaluable advice.<\/p>\n \u201cI hit with Alcaraz at Queen\u2019s and that was pretty special, but honestly, whenever I’m on court with Andy, it’s like the most special thing for me,\u201d Robertson said. \u201cIt’s just crazy when I’m playing with Andy as I grew up watching him and then now I’m hitting with him.<\/p>\n \u201cI actually hit a little bit more with Jamie when I was younger, but the Murray brothers\u2026 Just seeing them and seeing what they’ve done, especially being Scottish, is amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n Charlie Robertson<\/a> : the Scottish teenager following in Andy\u2019s footsteps, heads to New York for the US Open<\/a> junior event next month. He\u2019s ranked 25 in the world and has just spent a week as Andy\u2019s training partner. \u2014 judy murray (@JudyMurray) July 23, 2024<\/a> <\/p>\n There are further parallels with Robertson and his idol in the team around him, with Matt Little \u2014 a longtime figure in Murray\u2019s camp \u2014 now playing a key role in his own progression.<\/p>\n \u201cHe’s been a massive help for me,\u201d Robertson said of the strength and conditioning coach. \u201cHe’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.\u201d<\/p>\n With inspiration all around him in Jeddah and a clear pathway taking shape, Robertson\u2019s ambitions are becoming increasingly tangible. Armed with a focused mindset and a positive attitude, the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF<\/a> could soon represent not just motivation, but a realistic destination.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
Investing in the next generation. \u2764\ufe0f\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc63\udb40\udc74\udb40\udc7f pic.twitter.com\/Xd6epWYQFi<\/a><\/p>\n