TENNIS in DEPTH.

First things first. “Andy Murray is a good boy, a true gentleman and we all absolutely adore him,” Kathy Robson, Laura’s mother, said as the Great Britain team, broad smiles to the fore, marched from the Burswood Dome and on their separate ways to verdant pastures new. Murray’s cheeks might have turned the same shade as his sunburnt back had he heard that.

The chances of the pair returning to Western Australia for the Hyundai Hopman Cup as part of their preparations for next year’s Australian Open will depend on what happens to their careers in the ensuing 12 months. Robson is 16 on January 21, she will compete in the qualifying competition for the Open from Wednesday on a wild card (there would have been murders had she been refused one) and whatever points she accumulates in the grand-slam tournament will determine which events she heads to next.

All week, Kathy sat alongside Martijn Bok, Laura’s coach, watching with undeniable pride as her daughter demonstrated that she is equipped to handle anything that is thrown her way. Of course, like all mothers, she is fiercely protective.

“Laura is a fantastic sportswoman who will only get better if everybody gives her the space to get better and be kind to her,” Kathy said. “She needs to grow into a woman, she is already 5ft 10½in and has had a little bit of a spurt, so 5ft 11in looks about where she will finish. Fitness is paramount to Laura’s wellbeing and development.

Courtesy Neal Harman     The Times.

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