Laura Robson and Heather Watson’s success can trigger performance of British men – Tennis News
Head of British tennis, Leon Smith, is hoping that his country’s male tennis players will get motivation from Laura Robson and Heather Watson’s achievements.
World number three, Andy Murray, is Great Britain’s only player in the top 200 players of the world. While Murray is making proud by achieving what none of his countrymen managed since 1930’s, there is not a single player to support him. British number two,
Jamie Baker, is currently at 246th position in the ATP Rankings.
On the other hand, there are many rising stars on the women’s side. Occupying 48th spot in the WTA Rankings, Watson is currently the highest ranked female tennis player of Great Britain.
Robson, who won the award for new comer of the year, is standing closely at 52. Anne Keothavong, Johanna Konta and Elena Baltacha are at 143rd, 156th and 173rd position respectively.
The 18-year-old, Robson, captured silver medal at the London Olympics and then reached the fourth round at this year’s US Open, stunning two former Grand Slam champions, Li Na and Kim Clijsters.
In comparison, Heather Watson became first British female player since 1988 to win a WTA event, when she captured the HP Open title in Osaka, Japan.
Smith believes that male tennis players are committed to their job and they just need to perform on consistent basis to get desired results.
The head of British tennis said, “For sure, the boys want to replicate what the girls have done in 2012 and they can break through but it will take a lot of work and I cannot fault their commitment. I have seen them play at the level needed but it’s about
getting the consistency to produce that on a regular basis. Andy’s success is huge in terms of motivating these young guys.
He added, “Laura and Heather had the ability at the highest level but they also have the work ethic. Now, we have girls who are 14, 15 and 16 years old looking up to Laura and Heather.”
George Morgan, Oli Golding, Liam Broady, Kyle Edmund and Luke Bambridge are upcoming British men, who are expected to do a good job in future.
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