Laura Robson Tennis - News & Photos

Laura Robson has been given a wild card for Wimbledon even though her world ranking is below the Lawn Tennis Association’s cut-off point of 250 for such awards. Laura says she is “just going to have to deal with” the heightened public expectation of playing at Wimbledon.

“From the sounds of it, there is going to be quite a lot of pressure on me,” Robson said. “I don’t know what I am going to do but all I can do is go on court and try my best. Win or lose, if I have tried my best then I cannot be unhappy.”

Laura Robson was beaten today by Sandra Zaniewska of Poland 7-6, 1-6, 6-3 after one hour and 54 minutes. Zaniewska led from the back of the court despite a valiant comeback from Laura. She was beaten in a tense final set.

After the match, Laura said “Once you get the ball it’s hard to know where to hit it because if you hit it short, she (Zaniewska) is going to read it so you have to think about where you are going to hit it as you are running and hitting the ball.

“By the final set I was extremely tired of running.”

Laura will now find out next Monday if she has done well enough to earn a main draw Wildcard for Wimbledon 2009.

Laura Robson’s success at Wimbledon has led her to be named the MCC Young Sportswoman of the Year. She wasn’t able to collect her trophy because of school commitments, but her match from Wimbledon was replayed to the audience.

Laura Robson has been beaten by Ksenia Pervak from Russia 6-3 6-1 in the Australian Open Girl’s Final. Laura, who was chasing a second junior Grand Slam title following her success at Wimbledon 2008, was beaten in 74 minutes.

“I felt she (Ksenia) was generally more consistent than me and that was a key factor in why she won today, but it’s disappointing to lose,” said Laura following the match.

The Mail on Sunday has dedicated their front page to Laura Robson, Britain’s first Wimbledon singles champion for 24 years; “Glory Laura… What a smasher she is”. While the Independent on Sunday declares Laura “Britain’s new darling” and “Laura, Princess of Wimbledon”. The Observer and the People make mention of her looking to now topple champion Venus Williams.

Congratulations to Laura who has just won the Junior Girls title at Wimbledon. Aged 14, she beat the number 3 seed Noppawan Lertcheewakarn 6-3 3-6 6-1. This makes her the youngest winner since 1994 when Martina Hingis won and also means she will most likely get a Wildcard draw for the Women’s at Wimbledon in 2009.