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New Andy Murray? Romeo Beckham has 'serious tennis future'

David Beckham with sons Romeo (L) and Cruz (Reuters)
David Beckham with sons Romeo (L) and Cruz (Reuters)

By Tramlines (original post on Eurosport)

He may only be 12-years-old, but Romeo Beckham could be the future of British tennis - that's according to his coach.

David Beckham's young son is currently shining as part of Arsenal's football academy, but it is in tennis that his talents have been particularly highlighted already.

It may sound like a young age for such hype to be developing, but actually most future tennis stars were spotted around this early stage in development.

Indeed, given that Boris Becker won Wimbledon at the age of 17, Romeo is only five years away from that stage - it's a helpful guide in terms of how quickly players must develop in the sport.

Romeo, who has been talked of in glowing terms around his Arsenal performances in the youth set up, apparently has such talent for playing tennis that he could even swap sports.

The Beckhams reportedly pay £30-an-hour for his tennnis lessons and his coach, John Johnson, believes that his ability is extraordinary for someone of his age.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Former England international David Beckham and sons Brooklyn Beckham (L), Cruz Beckham (2nd R) and Romeo Beckham (R) (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Former England international David Beckham and sons Brooklyn Beckham (L), Cruz Beckham (2nd R) and Romeo Beckham (R) (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

"Romeo Beckham could have a serious tennis future," Johnson told the Daily Star.

"He has a lot of talent and very good hand-eye coordination. I’m going to have a meeting with his mother about it to reinforce that.

"I’m not sure his parents realise how good he is," he added. "Romeo really loves tennis. He is really into it and very talented."

John continued: "Romeo has a natural swing and is very enthusiastic, he just loves it. He kept telling me and I could see how focused he was.

"He is very energetic, very quick and strong. He has very good hand-eye coordination. They were there for three hours every morning.

"We start at 10 to 1 so they brought their snack and lunch - some fruit, protein bars and of course water, just healthy stuff. I never saw them with anything unhealthy like crisps or chocolate, not a chance."

While the profile of his charge may have led Johnson to exaggerate slightly with the hype surrounding Romeo pretty inevitable, it makes complete sense that a child with natural hand-eye coordination and ball skills would show promise at a number of sports.

Indeed, while anyone a degree of scepticism should be attached to such reports of a boy's potential talent in a sport, examples of top professionals who could have shone at other sports is a very long one.

It must be hard being Romeo, who along with reported immense talent at football and tennis also appears to have a career in modelling waiting should he wish to move down that route.

Having already starred in Burberry's Christmas campaign, he's positively spoilt for career options - all at the age of just 12.