Robson rewarded for landmark year with best newcomer gong
BRITAIN’S Laura Robson has been named WTA Tour newcomer of the year, after a breakthrough season for the 18-year-old tennis starlet.
The British women’s No2, who narrowly saw off competition from compatriot and runner-up for the award Heather Watson, claimed the accolade following a season in which she won an Olympic silver medal, reached the fourth round of the US Open and became the first British woman to make a WTA singles final in 22 years.
“It’s a huge honour,” said Robson. “I looked at the list of past winners and it’s certainly a very impressive line-up that includes many of my idols growing up. I hope I can go on to achieve close to what many of the past winners have in their careers.”
Wimbledon-based Robson has seen her world ranking climb from 131 to 53 this year, but is still four places behind British No1, Watson. Twenty-year-old Watson’s season saw her reach the third round of Wimbledon and become the first British woman to win a WTA tournament last month in Osaka.