Teenage kicks: 'Jubby' became the first British player to win the prestigious National Collegiate Athletic Association title in America following in the footsteps of Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe
Tuesday 2 July 2019 11:50, UK
This mild-mannered teenager from east Hull has made a name for himself by winning the NCAA tennis title in America, but when it comes to his future goals Paul Jubb is most definitely staying grounded.
The 19-year-old has suffered tremendous heartbreak and hardship in his life, losing both his parents and being raised in a council house on Humberside by his grandmother, Val, since the age of four where her only income had been her state pension.
His former coach Jonny Carmichael has been a massive influence, and as well as idolising world No 1 Novak Djokovic, Jubb now has ambitions of making it on the professional circuit.
Jubb is not your typical British player. He loves clay-courts and followed fellow Briton Cameron Norrie in heading Stateside for his tennis education.
He had a number of South Carolina Gamecock watching him from the sidelines when he beat Nuno Borges of Portugal to lift the most prestigious singles title in American college tennis a fortnight ago. Jubb has demonstrated strong form on the British grass so far, winning his first match at second-tier Challenger level in Nottingham and he will make his debut at Wimbledon after being awarded a wild card.
He was first noticed during primary school and he immediately showed talent for the game, using his great athletic ability to cover the court before moving to Nuffield where he joined their performance mini-tennis squads.
Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports' Raz Mirza 'Jubby' as he is known to his mates explained how he ended up in America.
"South Carolina head coach Josh Goffi came to Hull to watch me play. The ball just got rolling from there. He spoke to coach James Trotman, who mentioned my name to him and gave him a good word about me, and once Josh came to see me I think he saw the potential and desire I had," said Jubb.
"Desire is something that has always been the main thing that has helped my success and to do the best I can. I haven't been one of those players where I've just let the tennis shots do the talking. It's been more about the desire and the will to win.
"Ever since I went to South Carolina, coach Goffi has been such a big influence, not just on the court but off it too. He's helped me become a better person as well. He cares about my well-being and we've gained such a high level of trust in each other, creating a great relationship - I trust him 100 per cent. He's helped my tennis game massively. He's got a great tennis IQ and helped me understand so much about the game, especially my game. He's been great."
The devastation of losing his parents so young and subsequent hardship of his upbringing has made Jubb the person is is today. He once wrote on an Instagram post: "Pain in my chest, still hurts that my mum & dad can't see my success".
"It's made me much stronger for it so I think that's had a massive part to contribute to my mentality towards everything I do," explained Jubb. "I've lived with my grandma for so long now that I was able to overcome it at a young age so I didn't let it affect my life in a bad way.
"My grandma doesn't like flying so she hasn't been out to see me, but I always go home in the holidays to see her in Hull. She is so proud of me and she's been the rock in my life."
Jubb looks to Djokovic as the player he wants to emulate, building his game on the Serbian superstar who has already accumulated 15 Grand Slams.
"I admire his game-style so much and love the way he plays. I like to think I measure my game on the way he plays.
"I'd like to try and play the same way as him in being solid from the baseline and movement-wise."
The youngster, who turns 20 at the end of October, hopes to be playing on the ATP tour where he hopes to make even greater strides.
"I hope to have some kind of success in the next few years - that's the goal. I want to be striding towards the top 100, or top 50. I think I'm making good progress after doing well on the college scene. I've done well at whatever level I've been put at. I've adapted and worked my way to the top.
"After college I want to be working my way up the rankings on the pro-tour."
Jubb remains humble and grounded. He is adamant that he's not even the best British talent coming through with the likes of Jack Draper in the media spotlight, but it's those characteristics which will help him fulfil his true potential.
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