Exclusive: Wade fears for British pressure on Robson
Virginia Wade fears for British media pressure on Laura Robson
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Friday, 12, Jun 2009 08:30
Britain's last Wimbledon singles champion Virginia Wade has expressed her concern for the amount of pressure being heaped on women's prospect Laura Robson.
The 15-year-old won the Junior Wimbledon title last year and consequently will play in the main senior ladies' draw at SW19 this year, attracting a great deal of media attention in the process.
However, Wade, who won the women's singles title in 1977 at the 16th attempt, believes the heightened expectation levels for Robson this year could be a problem for her.
In an exclusive interview with inthenews.co.uk, she said: "The pressure of being a British player is phenomenal.
"There's so much pressure on any top player but it's that much more magnified if you're British, so it is a real concern for me that pressure might get the better of her."
Wade suggested Robson's recent enforced break, which came about as a result of her schooling as well as a few minor injury problems, could have worked in her favour.
"She's had some growing injuries and maybe, in a way, going back to school, studying and having an enforced break might have been a blessing in disguise," the former champion continued.
"Otherwise nothing stops you and then you just get jaded so early."
Alistair Potter