On this second instalment, Jamie talks concerning the tennis legacy he, in addition to his brother Sir Andy Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion, wish to depart in Scotland as soon as their time enjoying professionally involves an finish.
Jamie, 35, a a number of Grand Slam champion in each males’s doubles and blended doubles, says Scotland has not but capitalised on the Murrays’ high-profile success within the sport, and there stays a necessity for extra indoor tennis services to not solely bolster the grassroots video games, but additionally deliver by way of extra elite-level Scottish tennis gamers.
As we transfer nearer to December’s much-anticipated Battle of the Brits – Scotland versus England occasion at P&J Stay, tennis hero Jamie Murray will serve up a collection of unique columns for the Press and Journal.
Murray explains why he additionally views stay occasions, like Battle of the Brits – Scotland versus England in Aberdeen, as a key a part of holding tennis seen near house and getting extra individuals throughout the land concerned in tennis.
When Andy and I look again on the influence of our tennis careers again house in Scotland, the obvious signal of our legacy can be extra individuals enjoying on year-round courts and a conveyor belt of expertise coming by way of.
Tennis in Scotland isn’t fairly the place we’d need it to be but, regardless of the thrill across the sport during the last 15 12 months due to Andy’s three singles Grand Slams and two Olympic golds, in addition to my a number of Slam successes in doubles.
What lots of people nonetheless lack is entry to courts – whether or not that’s park courts, group courts, personal tennis golf equipment or indoor services.
The latter, particularly, are so vital throughout the Scottish winter, and in the mean time there are numerous components of the nation the place there aren’t any indoor courts in any respect – in each rural areas and cities like Inverness.
It takes time and there are obstacles to be cleared with the intention to construct an indoor tennis centre. All of us wish to see issues occur quicker, however I hope these in control of tennis and their native companions have plans in place to enhance the state of affairs and we’re shifting in the correct course.
Andy and I have been actually fortunate when it comes to indoor courtroom entry rising up, as a result of Stirling College was 5 or 10 minutes from Dunblane.
Nonetheless, as factor stand, if a child up in Inverness will get excited watching Andy on TV in January, then desires to select up a racquet and take a look at tennis right away, they possibly received’t be capable of and could possibly be misplaced to the sport eternally in consequence.
The dearth of accessible services year-round is just not solely holding again the sport’s development on the grassroots degree, but additionally reduces the possibilities of Scotland producing extra world-level gamers. With out indoor courts, gifted children in some areas will miss out on teaching as a result of Scottish climate.
We’re already on the level the place behind Andy, myself, Cam Norrie – who has had a superb two years – after which Aidan McHugh, who isn’t any. 391 on the earth rankings, there isn’t actually anybody else apparent coming by way of to select up the mantle of being the man who’s seen in occasions on TV each week.
Curiosity in tennis will naturally wane with out easy accessibility to courts all by way of the 12 months or seen Scottish stars of the sport.
A part of the rationale for placing on Battle of the Brits – Scotland versus England in December is to at the least give individuals within the north of Scotland, in addition to these watching on BBC iPlayer in the remainder of the nation, high-quality tennis to observe on their doorstep.
