Charlie Robertson: Dancing Dreams to Tennis Stardom - Scotland's Next Big Hope

Forfar, Scotland: Charlie Robertson could have been wowing crowds at the Paris Olympics with dance moves, but instead, he has his sights firmly set on becoming the next great hope in Scottish tennis, aiming to emulate—and perhaps even surpass—the achievements of his idol, Andy Murray.

Ranked 10th in the world junior rankings after an impressive run to the US Open Junior semi-finals this season, the 17-year-old from Dundee has already shown signs of greatness. "You have got to dream big," Robertson tells BBC Scotland, reflecting the ambition that fuels his rise in the sport.

Robertson, like many young athletes, grew up participating in a variety of sports—rugby, football, and golf. However, one surprising chapter in his childhood was his stint in dance, specifically street dance. "I actually did a bit of dancing when I was younger as well," Robertson reveals. "I love to dance, and that is my personality. If music is on in the gym or whatever during tennis, I always like to dance."

While Robertson's passion for dance once hinted at a different path, his heart was captured by tennis at a young age. "I think my first couple of classes were at Arbroath Tennis Club," he recalls. The youngest of three siblings, Robertson was taken along to their sports classes, and although initially too young for formal tennis lessons, he spent his time hitting balls against the wall.

Soon enough, he was allowed into the classes because of his natural aptitude, and it didn't take long for him to catch the tennis bug. The timing was perfect—Andy Murray, Robertson's fellow Scot, was dominating the headlines, winning Wimbledon and inspiring a new generation of tennis hopefuls. "Seeing Andy at that point doing so well, winning Wimbledon and stuff like that, I just found it really exciting and have just loved it since then," Robertson says.

Robertson's growing profile took a significant leap earlier this month when he reached the semi-finals of the US Open Juniors in New York. Although he lost in straight sets to top seed Nicolai Budkov Kjaer of Norway, the comparisons with Andy Murray—who won the event two decades earlier—were inevitable.

"Andy helps me," Robertson reveals, highlighting the mentorship he's received from the former world number one. "We started our relationship from the grass season. He is just an amazing role model for me, and he has been a great help to my game. He was still playing at that point, so I was hitting with him, and I could ask him questions, and he would give his honest advice, which was really helpful. To hear it from Andy Murray means a lot."

That experience, both on and off the court, has given Robertson a strong belief in his potential. "I can become as good as him, if not better," he says confidently. It's this kind of ambition that drives the young Scot as he looks to follow in Murray's footsteps.

Next on Robertson's schedule are the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Finals in China in mid-October, just after his 18th birthday. Following that, in January, he will take the plunge into professional tennis, beginning his journey in the senior ranks alongside fellow Scotsman Jake Fearnley, who recently broke into the world top 100.

However, Robertson is under no illusions about the challenge ahead. "I have to restart again in the men's circuit—my 10th in the world in the juniors will not mean anything anymore," he admits. "The ultimate goal is to be a top 100 ATP player. Going into the pro circuit, now that is everyone's goal, and I think, as soon as you get to that top 100, you want to push for even more. Everyone wants to be number one in the world—why not? You have got to dream big, so that is the goal."

Yet, Robertson also understands the realities of life on the lower rungs of professional tennis, acknowledging the financial strains of competing on the Futures and Challengers circuits. "It is definitely not a cheap sport, tennis," he admits. "This is my decision to do it, and I have just got to believe in myself that I can make a living out of tennis, which is what I dreamed about when I was a little kid."

The early stages of a professional tennis career often require more investment than reward, with Robertson noting that "when you are playing these Futures and Challengers, you are giving out more than you are bringing in." He sees getting support as crucial to climbing the ranks. "It is going to be very challenging, but getting support is going to be key to reaching the top."

Despite the challenges, Robertson remains upbeat about the future. "I see it as an exciting journey now, but I know it is not going to be easy. I am going to have to work a lot to reach the top," he says. "Everyone in the men’s game is fighting for their mortgage. I am looking forward to it."

With his dancing feet now firmly planted on the tennis court, Charlie Robertson is determined to write the next chapter of Scotland’s tennis legacy. And, if his dreams are anything to go by, he’s ready to take on the world—one split-step at a time.