Robertson Draws Inspiration from Jeddah’s Rising Stars
In the electric atmosphere of the Next Gen ATP Finals, 19-year-old Scot Charlie Robertson absorbs lessons from peers and idols, fueling his climb toward pro contention.
In the sweltering glow of Jeddah’s centre court, Charlie Robertson rallies with the intensity of a player on the cusp. The 19-year-old Scot, orbiting the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF as a hitting partner, soaks up the raw energy from the sport’s top under-20 talents. Each crosscourt exchange sharpens his game, turning practice into a blueprint for his own breakthrough, with the snap of strings echoing his growing resolve.
Robertson, who has spent formative time with his idol and former World No. 1 Andy Murray, carries a clear vision of elite tennis. Feeding heavy topspin to Nishesh Basavareddy and Alexander Blockx, he dissects their quick transitions, adapting his one–two patterns to match the hard court’s fast bounce. These sessions blend competition and camaraderie, fueling his drive to bridge the gap to the main draw.
“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.”
Junior battles reignite competitive fire
Encounters with familiar faces from the junior circuit add layers to Robertson’s motivation. He bumps into 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. Watching Kjaer’s aggressive net rushes and down-the-line passes, Robertson refines his own backhand slice to counter such pressure, the Jeddah heat amplifying the sting of past defeats.
These reunions stir memories of tight sets on varied surfaces, pushing Robertson to vary his serve placement for better second-shot setups. The crowd’s murmurs during practice heighten the stakes, mirroring the tension of Challenger qualifiers where every point counts toward rankings climbs. His recent semi-final run in Egypt honed his topspin depth on clay, now evolving against this elite pace.
Rapid ascents chart a clear path
Rafael Jodar emerges as a vivid example of what’s possible, his trajectory offering Robertson a roadmap to follow. 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. Robertson studies Jodar’s 1–2 patterns, noting how inside-in forehands disrupt rhythms on hard courts, filing away tactics for his Wake Forest matches and pro swings.
“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.”
The atmosphere in Jeddah, with floodlit night sessions buzzing under the stars, injects urgency into his routine. Balancing sophomore duties at Wake Forest with international travel tests his endurance, but these observations turn seasonal grind into targeted progress. Robertson’s path started simply, tagging along to family lessons and evolving from wall hits to competitive fire, now poised for acceleration.
Mentors build enduring foundations
Guidance from established figures anchors Robertson’s development amid the inspiration swirling around him. He also served as a hitting partner for Carlos Alcaraz at the ATP 500 at Queen’s Club last year, yet even that fades next to time on court with Andy and his brother Jamie Murray, both of whom have provided invaluable advice. “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.”
Sessions with the Murray brothers sharpen his net approaches and underspin variations, drawing on their doubles savvy for better positioning. “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.
Investing in the next generation. pic.twitter.com/Xd6epWYQFi— judy murray (@JudyMurray) July 23, 2024
Parallels extend to his support circle, with Matt Little—a longtime figure in Murray’s camp—now playing a key role in his 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.” Little’s drills emphasize explosive footwork for inside-out forehands, countering the physical demands of multi-surface play.
With Jeddah’s intensity etching lessons deep, Robertson eyes the Challenger trail ahead. The Next Gen stage shifts from distant goal to achievable horizon, his Scottish grit mirroring Murray’s resilience. Armed with these insights, he steps forward, ready to convert motivation into momentum on the pro circuit.
