Despite double-checking, there was still the worry that an error had been made as very rarely is 7am offered as the most suitable time for an interview. However, after only a few rings of her phone, Robin Montgomery dutifully picked up as promised.

When quizzed about the early nature of the call, two aspects of her reply were striking. Firstly, she confessed to being “an early bird”, but also that she wanted to “get it out of the way to focus on training”.

It is fair to say that Montgomery is both an early bird, particularly considering 2020 was the year she formally turned professional despite only being 16 years of age, and focused, although she admits to working hard to convey a more relaxed demeanour.

That, in part, follows advice from fellow United States prodigy Frances Tiafoe, who knows Montgomery from the Junior Tennis Champions Centre in College Park, Maryland and refers to her as his “little sister”.

“I mostly talk to Frances when I need advice,” Montgomery, who has also sought guidance from Coco Gauff and Denis Kudla in recent years, told itftennis.com.

“He gave me advice about signing pro and told me to make sure I enjoy myself throughout the process as I’m known for being very serious and not very smiley on court.

“He said, ‘you’re going to have to look as though you’re enjoying yourself’. Even though I am, I know it doesn’t always look that way. Although I’m not necessarily trying to be more smiley on court, I’m maybe going to try and throw a few more in from time to time.

“I am definitely one of those players who is pretty serious when they play. I’m not as tense when I am off court and definitely more relaxed. But on court, sometimes you can see the tension in my body and shoulders, so it’s more about relaxing.”

In a year which has seen Montgomery claim her first professional title and make a Grand Slam debut at the US Open, there has been another seminal moment which has had a profound effect and feeds into Tiafoe’s advice.

While in France for two W25 tournaments, Montgomery visited Omaha Beach – one of the principal landing areas for Allied forces during D-Day in World War II and the scene of considerable US casualties.

“I just sat there and looked at the beach. Honestly, it was astonishing and kind of crazy to think I was there and at the scene of such an important moment in history,” said Montgomery.

“It definitely put things into perspective, I mean about life. Just being there, it really did change my perspective on a few things and it was a trip which meant a lot.

“It was a wonderful experience from an historical angle but also personally as well. When I am at a tournament, I don’t usually do any sightseeing or anything like that, which is something I’m trying to improve.

“I have come to realise that just because I am at a tournament doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the cities I am in. The visit to Omaha Beach was wonderful because I was there for a tournament but was also able to see and experience history.  

“It had a major impact. After Omaha Beach, I have definitely felt more relaxed at tournaments and not as tense. It has changed my outlook.”

Montgomery’s visit there was not by chance. She has been fascinated by World War II for many years and is an avid reader of historical fiction – earlier this year her novel of choice was Lovely War by Julie Berry.

Her love for history began in the third grade when she began learning about Abraham Lincoln and his assassination by John Wilkes Booth in 1865. But while the past will always be of interest, the future is also key, even more so having made the decision to turn professional.

“There is definitely excitement there but also a bunch of nervousness,” added Montgomery. “When I actually signed to go pro, I was like ‘wow, I have signed that piece of paper and now I can’t go the college or anything like that’. That was an interesting feeling.

“It is a mix of emotions when you turn pro and it depends who you are. I have been dreaming of turning pro since I was very young so it felt like another accomplishment, although all the hard work really starts now.”

It proved a baptism of fire as one of her first assignments after formalising that decision was a Grand Slam debut at the US Open where she succumbed to Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva, who is ranked No. 28 in the world, in the first round.

“Having the chance to experience a Grand Slam was definitely a memorable moment and to play the US Open was a huge opportunity,” said Montgomery, who was a wild card entry at Flushing Meadows.

“It took a few days to settle in because you’d look to the left and see Petra Kvitova, then look to the right and see Venus [Williams] walking around, so it definitely took some time to realise I was with a load of top pros and playing the same tournament as them. It was incredible and difficult to put into words.”

Despite the disjointed nature of the season due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it has proven a hugely eventful campaign for the left-hander, who topped the podium at W25 Las Vegas in March.

That came a matter of weeks after reaching the last eight at the Australian Open Junior Championships, which is likely to prove her final appearance in junior tennis.

It was a junior career which brought Junior Billie Jean King Cup – then known as Junior Fed Cup – success in 2019, while she also won the prestigious Orange Bowl at JA Plantation in December.

Montgomery, who is currently ranked No. 410 in the world rankings, insists that these victories were “stepping stones” which have brought her to this point of her career, with 2021 set to be another hugely significant year.

“I am still on the young side, so I will just try and focus on building my game and improving everything so I’m able to compete at the higher level,” added Montgomery, who was on the cusp of a second professional title at W25 Orlando earlier this month before losing to Alycia Parks in the final.

“I would say this has been a solid year for me, I can’t complain. During next season, I hope to get matches under my belt, post some good results, do well at tournaments and get my ranking up as high as possible.

“It’s going to be a long road so, most importantly, I want to make sure that during the process I enjoy myself.”