AFTER far too many years of being pilloried as a spent force, British women’s tennis suddenly has a bright future. Laura Robson, 14, became the nation’s first Wimbledon girls’ champion in almost a quarter of a century.

It was a day for both the established and the new. As Venus Williams was emphasising her place among the grass-court greats by winning her fifth Wimbledon title on Centre Court, over on a packed Court One the Grand Slam debutante was proving too adept for third-seeded Noppawan Lertcheewakarn.

Australian-born but very much a British citizen after moving to England as a six-year-old and getting a UK passport last year, Robson overcame a debilitating case of stage fright and a far more experienced opponent.

The left-hander, who lives just a few hundred yards away from gates of the All England Club, admitted: “Being Wimbledon junior champion sounds really, really good. It was so good today because all the crowd was behind me and it’s just an overwhelming experience. But a couple of weeks ago, when Wimbledon started, if somebody had told me I would be champion I would have told them not to be stupid.”

Warding off pressure from her Thai opponent, Robson, who will not be 15 until January, looked relaxed and composed, but the reality was different. “I thought I was going to be sick when I walked on court because there were so many people watching.”

Showing undeniable competitive pedigree, she kept her nerve to win 6-3 3-6 6-1 and receive the trophy from 1969 Wimbledon champion Ann Jones, who at the age of 17 won the same title 52 years ago.

Laura’s mother, Kathy, was jubilant in the players’ box. Her nervous father, Andrew, was more low-key, although he was insistent the family were in a celebratory mood last night and headed for a Wimbledon Village restaurant.

Laura must overcome the disappointment of not getting her wish of being taken to the champions’ ball by men’s semi-finalist Marat Safin.

The Russian, beaten by Roger Federer on Friday, was back home in Monte Carlo but sent his apologies in a note reading: “To Laura, I’m sorry I couldn’t come to the ball but good luck, Marat.” She was not too heartbroken, admitting: “I think he’s a bit too old for me anyway.”

On a more serious note, Robson is looking forward to being awarded a wild card into the main women’s event next year. More immediately, she will head to Holland this week to play tournaments in Hoorn and Leiden.

“This has surpassed everybody’s expectations but I saw the former world No 1 Justine Henin at the same age and worked with Kim Clijsters,” said the LTA head of women’s tennis, Carl Maes.

“It’s very important not to get too carried away but at the moment Laura is better on the grass than those two at the same age.”