Paul Jubb only turned professional in the spring of 2020, but is already dreaming big. The 21-year-old Brit earned a college scholarship to the University of South Carolina when just 17. Making the move from Hull to The Palmetto State was a big deal and meant a lot of hard work.
Jubb was up to the task, however, learning to discipline himself, which allowed him to ensure his studies were completed on time. Jubb also excelled in his tennis. He became the first Brit to win the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) singles titles. Playing for the South Carolina Gamecocks, Jubb defeated Nuno Bourges in three sets to lift the title.
The NCAA college event has had some impressive previous winners, including Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, and Bob Bryan. Winning the event usually leads to a main draw wild card for the US Open. However, as Jubb is not American he was denied that opportunity.
Instead, the Lawn Tennis Association was impressed with the young Brit winning the event, that they provided him a main draw wild card to Wimbledon in 2019. Unfortunately, the York born player was unable to progress beyond the first round.
With the pandemic closing most of the tennis season in 2020 Jubb was not able to play many matches. However, the young Brit did sign up with Andy Murray’s 77 Management group and has met the former World #1 on several occasions recently.
Beating his mentor
Murray is struggling to make his comeback after the hip resurfacing injury that forced him to “retire. The Brit also had to recently withdraw from Miami due to a groin injury; there has been talk of the former World #1 actually retiring.
Jubb however, believes that Murray should continue playing, at least for a few years. The youngster wants to play and beat the three times grand slam winner. Speaking to the press, Jubb said, “I want to him to keep going so I can play him on Tour one day–and maybe beat him! I have got to try and work my way up there quick so I can get on the court with him for real.”
The 21-year-old is motivated to rise up the rankings and hopes to meet Murray on the circuit in a match, rather than for a chat. Jubb also told Tennis 365 that he admires Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Frances Tiafoe, and Jo-Wilfred Tsonga. The Brit likes to think of himself in the same category as those players, because they all show emotion on court.
Jubb is a British star of the future, and one to watch. He just won the ITF event in Sharm-El-Sheikh. This is his fourth final at this level, and the Brit has won all four.
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