Judy Murray leads session to find next Andy

Judy Murray was joined by dozens of Drumchapel youngsters yesterday as she led a coaching session on the Glasgow district’s newly refurbished tennis courts.

The courts at both Drumpchapel Park and Knightswood Park have been refurbished as part of a citywide £1 million project aimed at inspiring more people in the city to play the sport.

“To grow the game we need to have more people playing and the facilities are one thing and having people to drive the activities is another thing,” she said. “What you have at Drumchapel is a great co-ordinated effort.

“When I was last here the courts were in a real state of disrepair, covered in pot holes and weeds, the fencing was all ripped and the day I came there weren’t even any nets but now we have an all-weather playing surface, new fencing, floodlights and that means people can play in the evening and longer into the year and the good thing is they are right in the heart of the community. That’s the key. “

The investment in tennis facilities and programmes is part of a community tennis pilot project, one of eight around Great Britain being supported by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the Tennis Foundation (TF). The Glasgow pilot is supported by Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life but Ms Murray, mother of British No1 and World No2 Andy, says other major towns throughout the country following Glasgow’s lead is “absolutely crucial”.