Andy Murray protégé Charlie Robertson uses Next Generation ATP Finals as springboard | ATP Tour

Next Generation ATP Finals

Murray protégé Charlie Robertson uses Next Generation ATP Finals as a springboard

The 19-year-old Scot becomes a batting partner in Jeddah this week

December 21, 2025

Charlie Robertson spent his formative years alongside his idol, former world number one Andy Murray, and he has never lacked the standards required to reach the top of his game.

This week in Jeddah, however, the 19-year-old Scot found new motivation at the Next Generation ATP Finals at PIF, where he gained valuable experience as a hitting partner. Surrounded by some of the best talent in the sport aged 20 and under, Robertson has used the opportunity to realize his ambitions.

“I’m 100 per cent inspired to be here,” Robertson told ATPTour.com on the sidelines of a training session with Nishish Basavareddy and Alexander Bloks at the Jeddah Center Court. “It’s really special to be around everyone here. Seeing the guys here that I played against in the juniors, it gives me extra motivation to try and make it here next year. That’s really cool.”

Robertson has faced familiar faces as a teenager, including Norwegian Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, whom he beat in the semifinals of last year’s U.S. Open men’s singles before soaring to a four-time ATP Challenger title in 2025.

Rafael Jodar is another compelling reminder of what can be achieved in a short period of time, and his rise provides a tangible path for Robertson to hope to emulate. After being a batting partner in Jeddah last year, he starts 2025 ranked 895th in the world (30 spots lower than Robertson’s current ranking), with the Spaniard climbing more than 700 places throughout the season to secure his place in the field.

“Seeing how the game works here and playing in a big tournament, I think it’s good motivation,” said Robertson, who reached his first ATP Challenger semifinal in Egypt last month. “I learn things every day by watching everyone play. As long as I focus and do the right things, I believe I can achieve my goals.”

Robertson’s path to tennis began almost organically, taking lessons with his siblings even before he was old enough to play the sport himself. What started as hitting against the wall quickly turned into competition and steady improvement.

Now 19 and a sophomore at Wake Forest, he still has the time and support to continue developing — just like the players and compatriots he idolized growing up.

“He’s really good at giving advice,” Robertson said of three-time Grand Slam champion Murray. “If I ask him anything, he gives me an honest answer and what he really thinks, and he’s given me a lot of advice over the last few years. He’s my biggest inspiration in tennis, so to hear him say that is unbelievable.”

Robertson also served as Carlos Alcaraz’s hitting partner at the ATP 500 event at Queen’s Club last year. However, that pales in comparison to being on the field with Andy and his brother Jamie Murray, both of whom provided valuable advice.

“I played with Alcaraz at Queen’s and that was pretty special, but honestly, anytime I’m on the court with Andy, that’s the most special thing for me,” Robertson said. “When I played with Andy, it was crazy because I grew up watching him and now I play with him.

“I actually remember Jamie a little more when I was younger, but the Murray brothers… just seeing them and seeing what they did, especially being Scottish, was amazing.”

Charlie Robertson: The Scottish teenager is following in Andy’s footsteps and heading to New York to compete in the junior US Open next month. He is ranked 25th in the world and has just spent a week as Andy’s training partner.
Invest in the next generation. ❤️🏴Chase, pursue, pursue, pursue pic.twitter.com/Xd6epWYQFi

— Judy Murray (@JudyMurray) July 23, 2024

There are further similarities to Robertson and the icons in the squad around him, with Matt Little – a long-standing figure in Murray’s camp – now playing a key role in his own progress.

“He helped me a lot,” Robertson said of the strength and conditioning coach. “He’s the best and I have a lot of respect for him. He’s done a really good job with me, so I’m really, really lucky to have him by my side.”

As inspiration and a clear path began to take shape around Jeddah, Robertson’s ambition became increasingly clear. With a focused mindset and a positive attitude, the Next Generation ATP Finals presented by PIF soon represented not only motivation but a realistic destination.