JAMIE Murray returned to Dunblane last night on a mission to build on the success of himself and his brother at the top of world tennis.
The 30-year-old world No.1 has been vocal in his efforts to promote the sport in Scotland and he brought home that message last night. He backed both his mother’s plans for a tennis and golf centre at Park of Keir, near Dunblane, and stressed that more children in Scotland had to be given a chance to play.
Murray, who won the Australian Open with Bruno Soares in January, was visiting his home town with the Davis Cup, which he helped win with his brother, Andy, in Ghent in November.
“She should have her centre if we want to try to make the most of what we have been doing on the court, especially Andy,” said Murray, who has risen to the top of the game three years after he considered quitting. He added that his mother’s centre would “go a long way” to making the most of the Murray legacy and help future generations.
The development has been refused planning permission but an appeal has been made to Scottish ministers.
Murray has also been vocal about the lack of facilities, coaching and playing time for children and made a point yesterday of practising with youngsters at every opportunity.
“There are a lot of kids out there trying tennis for the first time. This is super important because we are trying to get them at such a young age as possible. It is a game for life, it is not easy to just pick up and start playing, so the younger we can get them playing the better,” he said.
Murray visited Dunblane High School, Dunblane Primary School and Dunblane Tennis and Sports Club. He was greeted at all venues by enthusiastic children.
He now enters a crucial time in the season, seeking to build on his first Grand Slam win with Soares. He heads to Madrid and Rome for clay events before the French Open, and then come Wimbledon and the Olympics. He will, of course, play in Rio with his brother and they will be among the favourites for gold.
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