Britain’s Laura Robson was in action Wednesday at the Fuzion 100 Surbiton Trophy where she teamed up with doubles partner, Monique Adamczak, to reach the semifinals. Although she is not fully fit, Robson is still keeping match tough by playing exclusively in the doubles event.
Laura Robson is a natural grass court player who has achieved incredible feats on the surface. We are coming up to the ten-year anniversary of her historic Junior Wimbledon title, aged just fourteen. As a senior, she reached the fourth round, still as a teenager. On top of this, Robson boasts an Olympic silver medal in the mixed doubles of the London 2012 Games, hosted on the lawns of Wimbledon.
I spoke to Robson after her victory Wednesday and asked her what it is like being back on the grass, “It’s great, all the Brits really enjoy it.” It is clear that the British #9 feels at ease on grass courts in London and it helps it is just a small commute away, “I live close by so I get to stay at home.”
Throughout her career, the former World #27 has been plagued with injuries and to see her still playing at a high level is a testament to her strong character. There is another injury that she is struggling with and this time it is the hip, which is why her season has been so stop-start this year.
“It’s been a working progress, I’ve been rehabbing since the start of the year. It’s been quite a while already and I’m ready to be very healthy.”
We have not seen Laura Robson on the singles court in nearly a month. Her last singles match was a straight set defeat to fellow Brit, Katy Dunne, in Japan. I asked Robson when she thinks she might be able to make her comeback but she is not so sure and will use this week as a barometer to see where her fitness is.
“Singles-wise I’m not sure, it depends on my hip a little bit. So I’m going to play it by ear this week and see where I’m at.”
Laura Robson is very experienced when it comes to dealing with injuries and she definitely does not want to rush back and potentially aggravate her problem, “I won’t start again until I know I can make it through three sets totally healthy.”
This is a very mature decision for a young player, remember, she is still only twenty-four years old despite her being on the scene for almost ten years. Not even the temptation of the biggest tournament in the world will make Robson rush her comeback. I asked the British #9 whether she thinks she can get back in time for Wimbledon, “I don’t know yet, we’ll see.”
Robson was not ruling participation in Wimbledon out by any means, but she is not confirming it just yet. Despite all of this, the World #327 is able to look at the bright side of her situation, “It’s held me back a little bit but I’m happy I can get out on court and play doubles.”
It is this positive attitude that has helped Laura Robson so much these last few years and that mentality will keep her in good stead for the rest of her career. Tennis fans around the world hope to see the popular lefty back on the singles court soon. The good news is that Laura Robson will only return when she is one-hundred per cent fit.
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