John McEnroe thinks Laura Robson will eventually overtake Heather Watson – Tennis News
Former world number one and American legend, John McEnroe, has shared that he believes current British number two, Laura Robson, will pass her compatriot Heather Watson in achievements.
Watson and Robson kept swapping places on the top of the British tennis rankings during 2012 but it was Watson who had the last laugh in that race. The 20-year-old is at the 49th position in the world rankings, whereas, Robson is on the 53rd spot.
However, Robson is more naturally talented than Watson according to McEnroe and the American former professional thinks that she has the ability to enter the top-10 in the world rankings one day.
Talking to the media people recently, McEnroe said about Robson, “She has got a lot of ability and clearly, if she gets herself fully committed and in tip-top shape, I think she could easily be top 10. I think she could be really dangerous.”
Robson’s career-turning point came at the London Olympics, where Andy Murray chose her as his mixed doubles partner instead of number one at that time, Watson. Robson and Murray ended with a silver medal at the mega event, giving the initial push to former’s
career.
The 18-year-old made full use of Olympic exposure and gave a dream performance at the US Open. The youngster stunned two former Grand Slam champions, Kim Clijsters and Li Na, on her way to the last-16 stage at the Flushing Meadows.
Robson did not stop there and in her very next tournament she advanced to the title match at the Guangzhou International Women’s Open in China. The London, England resident became her country’s number one player after that series of performances.
McEnroe added, “She is a natural tennis player, but she is going to have to be like a [Tomas] Berdych in the men's game – big and powerful. He has got himself into the best shape of his life. Or like [Dinara] Safina – someone who worked at it extremely hard
to get herself as fit as possible. She is as natural a talent as anyone out there."
Watson crossed Robson by winning the HP Open in Japan later on, entering top 50 and reclaiming the title of being her country’s number one player.
This friendly rivalry would benefit both of them and British women’s tennis. Robson and Watson have previously stated that they get inspired by each other’s strong performances and there is no jealousy factor between them.
Tags: