Olympic feelgood factor must be maintained, insists Robson

Wednesday 27 February 2013

Laura Robson, the English teenager, said yesterday that the country must capitalise on the Olympics to ensure that women's sport receives the recognition it deserves.

Laura Robson continues to climb rankings. Picture Getty Images

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Simon Cambers

Robson said it was vital that the feelings created by hosting the London Games last summer are not lost. "It's hard to beat the Olympics," she said.

"The whole feel of it around the country was unbelievable. It was always going to be a bit of a come-down after that so I think that's why all of us have to try as hard as possible to continue to get everyone involved and enjoying it.

"That was the main thing from the Olympics: everyone was just loving sport. I think more people are aware of the bigger athletes in the country. They'll think, 'oh, Jess Ennis is doing another competition, so I'll watch that on TV', or try the javelin, maybe."Having only turned 19 in January, Robson is still in the early stages of her career but her silver medal at the Olympics alongside Andy Murray in mixed doubles elevated her status.Ranked a career-high 43, she knows what she does on-court could influence young girls to take up tennis and yesterday she was named as an ambassador for Virgin Active Health and Racquet Clubs, focusing on junior development."I've always said that is one of the main things for me, just trying to get more girls into sport," Robson said. "I'm trying to do what I can and I think the better I do results-wise, the more girls will want to play because they'll watch it on TV and think, 'Oh, that looks all right'. It's a big thing for me and I'd love to continue to do that throughout my career."Robson will fit her ambassadorial commitments around a schedule that is likely to become even more hectic as she continues her climb up the rankings, just four spots behind British No.1 Heather Watson. On Friday, she heads to Indian Wells for the first of two big events in the United States, boosted by a clean bill of health after a chest infection that had bothered her since late last year."Hopefully, everything's cleared up," she said. "I've seen a specialist and I've taken yet another course of antibiotics. I'm feeling pretty good and I've been practising well the last couple of days, so once I get to Indian Wells, I reckon I'll be pretty good. Last year, Robson lost in the first round of qualifying but her surge up the rankings means she now goes straight into the main draw. "It's been a massive leap since last year," she added. "Hopefully, I'll do well there."

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Olympic feelgood factor must be maintained, insists Robson

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