Born on January 4, 1994, in Melbourne, Australia, Laura Robson has just given herself the chance, through her own hard work and ability, to become something rather special in the world of tennis.

More so for us Brits, of course, who are so used to abysmal failure at any level of tennis that we are simply happy to watch every other country produce players with unquestionable talent.

The important thing is that any talented youngster should be sheltered from the big, bad world that Jennifer Capriati so famously decided to join for a short time in her life.

The daughter of oil executive Andrew and former professional basketball player Kathy, Laura Robson produced some magical tennis this year at Wimbledon and claimed the first Junior Girls Championship for Britain since Annabel Croft back in 1984. The third round at Wimbledon and 21st in the world was the best Annabel could manage thereafter.

It’s far too early to consider whether Robson will follow the same path as Croft who was, in typically English fashion, just too bloody feminine at the time to succeed. Too nice and just not sufficiently talented.

Chris Evert could pull that one off but let’s be honest, it was Martina Navratilova and her bulging veins who dominated until the ladies found out that they could become just as strong and powerful without looking like a Lithuanian shot-putter.

There are many stumbling blocks that young Laura will have to overcome, yet we get the feeling, just listening to her child-like (of course, she is only 14) responses in interviews that here is a girl who has been well schooled and whose family life is currently rather like any other 14-year-old.

Moaning about her brother winking at the camera suggests a thankfully normal girl who is simply getting on with what she enjoys in life. How refreshing! It's great to see - and Laura, on her way to that title at Wimbledon, beat opponents who were two years older than her.

There is a huge gap between the strengths and weaknesses of a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old. It’s a good sign that she can not only compete with these other girls, but beat them.

Indeed, she is the youngest winner of the Junior title since Martina Hingis in 1994. Carl Maes, head of the Women’s Lawn Tennis Association, has paid Robson the ultimate compliment by comparing the youngster to his own protege, Kim Clijsters, saying: "She plays at the same level and, on grass, even a little bit better.”

At 5ft 7in tall and the age of 14 it is likely that Laura still has time and room to grow. She has a strong athletic build and very nice touch on the court. The main worry, as always, will be keeping such an impressionable talent away from the temptations that will inevitably surround her from here on in.

The British media must also do their best to keep her private life private. When she becomes an adult it’s a different matter, but for now she should be left alone.

Britain may be accustomed to failure in women’s tennis but now there is a genuine prospect and this prospect should be allowed to develop in the correct manner. There is no doubting that she has the talent, she has proved that already. Let’s hope she chooses the right paths along the way.