After a long struggle with injury, Laura Robson of the United Kingdom announced her retirement from tennis at the age of 28.
Robson won the junior girls singles at Wimbledon when she was 14 years old in 2008, climbed to number 27 in the world, and shared an Olympic silver medal with Andy Murray in the London 2012 Olympics.
However, she was plagued by severe wrist and hip problems, the latter of which required three surgery, forcing her to make the painful decision.
Robson claimed that after reaching her conclusion, she “sat down and cried” with the LTA’s former chief medical officer Dr. Jo Larkin and physiotherapist Rob Hill, who worked tirelessly to make her body ready for top-level tennis.
In 2012, Robson was voted WTA newcomer of the year, and in September of that year, she reached a WTA final in Guangzhou.
However, she will most likely be known for her junior Wimbledon triumph.
“The photographs that come up every year – I seem so young,” she said of the experience. I can’t recall half of what happened because I was a baby.”
It didn’t hurt me in any way, and I thought it was a lot of fun, especially because it was my first time playing in a major stadium.”
And the opportunities it provided me in life – opening show court two in the main draw at Wimbledon the year after – I would not have had if I hadn’t won the juniors.”
“I think it opened my eyes to how tough it is, how much pressure is on my shoulders, and how to deal with difficult situations in life.” I would not return it for anything.”
