Although Team GB failed to lift the Hopman Cup earlier today both Andy Murray and Laura Robson can take some big positives from the event.
Over the past week it has been a pleasure to see the pair team up together on court. Robson has had the benefit of playing alongside the world no.4 in doubles and against some top players on the WTA circuit.
Her victory in the final against the world no.24 Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 6-1 7-6 will provide a massive confidence boost and came ahead of the news she had been given a wildcard into the Aussie Open qualifiers.
After coming so close at the US open British fans have been given more cause to be hopeful ahead of this years Australian Open.
It would be fantastic if Robson could join Baltacha and O'Brien in the main draw down under and would highlight the real progress that is being made in the women's game at present.
As for Mr Murray the tournament gave him a chance to prepare ahead of the Australian Open in singles and the rare opportunity to relax somewhat on court in his mixed doubles.
There can be no doubt that he represented the senior party in the pairing but this is a role that Murray has thrived in before. His performances in the Davis Cup last year were excellent and lifted a team that is suffering from an alarming lack of depth.
No one doubts that Murray represents the immediate future of British tennis but perhaps he already recognises that Robson is in the same position that he found himself in 3 or 4 years ago.
It is perhaps a little surprising that it was Murray who suffered a singles defeat against Robredo in the final but he is unlikely to be overly concerned.
The Hopman cup a tournament that has been off the British radar since the days of Jo Durie and Jeremy Bates, provided everything the pair were looking for (except the trophy)!
Here's hoping that we can see the two pairing up together in the near future, perhaps not to win major titles but to foster the sort of camaraderie that has been somewhat lacking in the past.
Over the past week it has been a pleasure to see the pair team up together on court. Robson has had the benefit of playing alongside the world no.4 in doubles and against some top players on the WTA circuit.
Her victory in the final against the world no.24 Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 6-1 7-6 will provide a massive confidence boost and came ahead of the news she had been given a wildcard into the Aussie Open qualifiers.
After coming so close at the US open British fans have been given more cause to be hopeful ahead of this years Australian Open.
It would be fantastic if Robson could join Baltacha and O'Brien in the main draw down under and would highlight the real progress that is being made in the women's game at present.
As for Mr Murray the tournament gave him a chance to prepare ahead of the Australian Open in singles and the rare opportunity to relax somewhat on court in his mixed doubles.
There can be no doubt that he represented the senior party in the pairing but this is a role that Murray has thrived in before. His performances in the Davis Cup last year were excellent and lifted a team that is suffering from an alarming lack of depth.
No one doubts that Murray represents the immediate future of British tennis but perhaps he already recognises that Robson is in the same position that he found himself in 3 or 4 years ago.
It is perhaps a little surprising that it was Murray who suffered a singles defeat against Robredo in the final but he is unlikely to be overly concerned.
The Hopman cup a tournament that has been off the British radar since the days of Jo Durie and Jeremy Bates, provided everything the pair were looking for (except the trophy)!
Here's hoping that we can see the two pairing up together in the near future, perhaps not to win major titles but to foster the sort of camaraderie that has been somewhat lacking in the past.
No comments:
Post a Comment