Charlie Robertson is turning time as a hitting partner into a practical springboard for a pro career.
In Jeddah for the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, the Scot has been soaking up experience and motivation while practising with the sport’s brightest under-21 players, and he says the exposure is accelerating both his belief and his short-term goals for breaking into the tour.
Hitting Partner, Student And Rising Prospect
Being here gives me inspiration, 100 per cent,
Charlie Robertson
The 19-year-old Scot is in Jeddah serving as a hitting partner and absorbing tournament rhythms, from practice court routines to off-court recovery and media runs, grabbing an up-close education in what it takes to thrive on tour after he reached his first ATP Challenger Tour semi-final in Egypt last month.
“Seeing how the tournament works here and just playing a big tournament, I think it’s good motivation,” Robertson said, noting practice sessions with Nishesh Basavareddy and Alexander Blockx gave him a close-up education in how elite juniors prepare and why he wants to be part of this event himself next year.
Benchmarks And Junior Rivals
Robertson bumped into familiar faces from juniors, including Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, the Norwegian who edged him in last year’s US Open boys’ semi-finals and has since exploded onto the adult circuit with four ATP Challenger Tour titles in 2025, a reminder that momentum can be built quickly with the right results and belief.
Another compelling pathway is Rafael Jodar, who after a Jeddah hitting stint began 2025 ranked at World No. 895 and then climbed more than 700 spots across the season to reach the field, a leap Robertson studies as proof small margins and good timing can change a career fast.
Roots, Routine And The Murray Effect
Robertson’s introduction to tennis was almost accidental, tagging along to his brother and sister’s lessons and turning wall practice into competitive play, which eventually earned him a place at Wake Forest University. Now a sophomore, he balances studies and matches while keeping a clear timetable for pushing towards the pro ranks.
“I hit with Alcaraz at Queen’s and that was pretty special, but honestly, whenever I’m on court with Andy, it’s like the most special thing for me,” Robertson said, adding that training alongside Grand Slam winners keeps his standards high and shows him what intensity on tour looks like.
On Andy Murray, the three-time major champion, Robertson is candid about the practical coaching and inspiration he receives, saying Murray’s honest feedback has been a steady compass as he refines technique, schedules and the mental side of rising through college and lower-level pro events.
“If I ask him any questions, he gives me the honest answer and really what he thinks, and he’s given me a lot of advice in the past years. He’s been my biggest inspiration in tennis, so to hear that from him is incredible.” Robertson said.
“I actually hit a little bit more with Jamie when I was younger, but the Murray brothers… Just seeing them and seeing what they’ve done, especially being Scottish, is amazing,” Robertson said, adding that he feels a national pride and personal roadmap in their example.
Robertson credits long-time Murray team figure Matt Little as a key element in his development. “He’s been a massive help for me,” Robertson said. “He’s the best, I have so much respect for him. He does a really good job with me, so I’m really, really lucky to have him by my side.”
Robertson points to Jodar’s leap as proof. The Spaniard began 2025 at World No. 895, 30 places lower than where Robertson currently sits, and climbed more than 700 spots to earn his place in this field, an example Robertson studies for lessons about timing and progression.
“Just being around everyone here is really special. Seeing people here who I’ve competed with in juniors, it gives me that extra motivation after this to try and make it here next year. That would be pretty cool,” Robertson said, underlining that the experience is both inspirational and practical.
With mentors, practice partners and concrete examples all around him in Jeddah, Robertson insists the Next Gen Finals can be more than a study tour; it can be the meeting point where preparation matches opportunity and where he converts inspiration into results while plotting his calendar to climb the rankings.
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Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.
