Three of a kind: anyone for tennis?

This week saw the start of two weeks of games, sets and matches from Wimbledon. Inspired by all the action, as a nation we usually rush to the courts filled with enthusiasm for the game.

Meiklerig Farmhouse, Stenton, East Lothian is a pretty Georgian property with six-acre grounds, five bedrooms and an all-weather tennis court. Offers over £775,000. Contact Savills on 0131 247 3700.

If you find you have a budding Murray or Williams in the family however, it might be time to consider a home to help nurture their talent.

A home court won’t come cheap, even assuming you already have the land and can obtain planning permission.

Buying a property that already has a tennis court, particularly a top quality one, by its very nature, will be out of most buyers’ leagues.

Hawthorndene, St Boswells in the Scottish Borders is a beautiful period property set in nearly two acres of gardens. It has six bedrooms and three public rooms plus outbuildings. The tennis court is sheltered and tucked away from the house. Guide price £595,000. Contact Rettie & Co on 01896 824070.

Rettie & Co’s Tony Perriam says: “Unlike swimming pools, which carry an often unwarranted perception of excessive maintenance and running costs, a tennis court, once built, offers on-site enjoyment across the generations.

“It is particularly popular with those with teenage children and with ‘empty nesters’.”

In terms of adding value he says: “Rather like a well-built conservatory, orangery or garden room, the investment of £25-50,000 in a tennis court is seldom recouped in the short term although its availability is always a bonus, so long as the amount of garden space has not been squeezed or the court itself is not too dominant.”

While tennis courts are not top of the wish list for many house hunters in Scotland, a small minority of buyers, will count an existing court or space to build one as an absolute prerequisite.

19 Redhall Avenue, Craiglockhart, Edinburgh is a three-bedroomed immaculate modern townhouse over two floors. It's a quiet location but still handy for the city centre and is within walking distance of some of the best tennis facilities in the country. Offers over £310,000. Contact Pagan Osborne on 0131 629 2632.

Perriam says: “Rather like an Aga, once you have had one there can be withdrawal symptoms if you cannot have one again.”

While your own court in the garden is a luxury, there are more unassuming properties on the market close to excellent tennis facilities which will allow any family member’s talents to thrive without the need for acres of land and year-round maintenance.

Stirling is an obvious choice of location. The university is home to the Scottish Tennis Centre and has six indoor and two outdoor clay courts, shared between the public, Tennis Scotland national development players and the university scholarship players.

Nearby Dunblane might be more pricey in terms of property, but it has a good track record of producing champions.

In Edinburgh, the headquarters of Tennis Scotland are at Craiglockhart which has excellent facilities and reasonable house prices.