Laura Robson - The Biography. Tina Campanella

power it was known for.

      In her third-round match, she finally admitted she had a problem. She had pulled a stomach muscle and, despite having bravely attempted to play through the pain, it had now got too much for her. She retired from the tournament. Laura had to watch the rest of the action from the sidelines, with a huge bag of ice strapped around her waist.

      Though it had started so morosely, 2008 had eventually turned into a vintage year for British sport. Nineteen gold medals had meant glory at the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, Formula One success had come for Lewis Hamilton, Joe Calzaghe had punched his weight in the boxing ring and Andy Murray had risen to a career best No. 4 in the world tennis rankings.

      And, of course, Britain had met and fallen in love with little Laura Robson, their new heroine of tennis.

      Britain finally had something to celebrate and, on New Year’s Eve, people raised their glasses with a little more enthusiasm than they had done the year before.