Tennis Scotland update
Last month’s Tennis Industry News reported that the ‘Murray Tennis Centre’ was getting ever closer to fruition. We were unfortunately wrong! The project has been shelved according to the Murray Play Foundation which said the project ‘was no longer viable in its current form’.
Rising costs and town planning issues have been cited as the main reasons for this decision. This is a real blow for Judy Murray in particular who has been championing a legacy project accessible to the local community for over 2 decades. The charity said it would now consider other initiatives to provide more people with the opportunity to pursue sport, fitness and physical activity.
However tennis in Scotland continues to grow as is evidenced in the latest ‘State of the Nation’ from Blane Dodds, CEO of Tennis Scotland
Dear Member
We are reflecting on an extraordinary summer for Scottish tennis as we bid an emotional farewell to our greatest ever champion and welcomed the dawn of a bright new chapter for player development.
There’s no doubt Sir Andy Murray has inspired a generation, and it was so fitting that we bore witness once again to his trademark fighting spirit as he and Dan Evans battled to the quarter-finals of the men’s doubles at the Paris Olympics.
Andy has provided us with so many special moments over the past 20 years and it was touching to see the wider tennis community come together to share their memories and explain what he means to them in our special tribute video, which you can view below.
As we wish Andy the very best in his retirement, we were delighted to see Jacob Fearnley perform so admirably at Wimbledon. Many people at Tennis Scotland and the wider Scottish tennis community have worked with Jacob since he was very young, and it was so exciting to see him prove his level by pushing Novak Djokovic all the way on Centre Court.
All our Scottish players across the tours will continue to inspire the younger generation and the launch of our new player development programme gives us confidence as we look to the future. The Scottish National Player Pathway will focus on providing the best possible training and competitive opportunities for our junior players and I was delighted to welcome Toby Smith and Andy’s former coach Jonny O’Mara to Tennis Scotland as we strengthened our highly motivated and experienced performance team.
Earlier this year we reported a record club membership of more than 78,600 and growing participation among adults and children, so to cope with demand, investment in new facilities is vital. Therefore, it was significant this summer to see the opening of four indoor courts at Moray Sports Centre and we will also soon be announcing a new facility in the south of Scotland to continue the development of indoor provision. Communities right across the country are also benefiting from the refurbishment of 170 courts in public parks, which is a significant step forward and investment for our sport in Scotland.
The feelgood factor was clear to see at the Scottish Cup Finals, which attracted big crowds to Whitecraigs Tennis Club. Congratulations to Thorn Park Men and Newlands Women, who took the trophies home on a day when we also celebrated 100 years of the ladies’ event with a series of special presentations. This video provided a fitting tribute to the generations of women who have competed for the Scottish Cup since 1924.
Another special moment of the summer was seeing our Honorary Vice-President and Lifetime Achievement Award winner Christine Windmill receive her OBE from King Charles at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Christine has given so much to our sport throughout her life and has always been a pleasure to work with. A truly well-deserved honour.
As we go into the rest of the year, there is plenty to look forward to. The Padel Scottish Cup Finals take place in September, while professional tennis returns to Glasgow in October as we host the ITF World Tennis Tour at Scotstoun. November sees the Scottish National Doubles Championships, before the conclusion of the TS Open Tour in December.
Finally, please let me thank you once again for your commitment to our growing sport and wish you all the very best for the remainder of the summer and for all your efforts on and off the court.
Best wishes,
Blane Dodds
Loughborough University enhances its sports facilities with Sunbaba branding
Loughborough University, renowned for its outstanding sports facilities and prestigious sporting achievements, sought out TIA UK member Sunbaba to discuss branding options that would align with their distinguished identity while effectively promoting their brand and sponsors.
“I had a fantastic experience using Sunbaba for our new windbreaks; from the initial contact to receiving the artwork and the windbreaks arriving on site, the process was seamless.” said Jay, Facility Manager at Loughborough University. “The products exceeded my expectations in terms of quality and durability, providing excellent protection against the wind while enhancing the aesthetic appeal of our outdoor tennis courts”.
For enquiries or to receive a free quotation, contact Sunbaba’s London office at 020 8988 9100 or email info@sunbaba.co.uk.
Wilson and Roger Federer unveil groundbreaking tennis racket line: The RF Collection
Wilson has announced the launch of the RF Collection, a revolutionary tennis equipment line inspired, designed, and developed in partnership with Roger Federer. The collection is rooted in legacy, driven by performance and innovated for the future, representing Federer’s profound impact on the sport and his unwavering dedication to excellence. The RF Collection by Wilson was launched globally on August 8, coinciding with Roger Federer’s birthday.
“Wilson’s partnership with Roger over the last 20 years has been one of the most remarkable relationships in the history of sport, and we are thrilled to take it to the next level with the RF Collection,” says Jason Collins, Global General Manager of Wilson Racquet Sports. “This collection has been years in the making, inclusive of in-depth racket testing, designing and collaborating with Roger; we are excited to finally bring it to the court for professionals and future generations of tennis players to continue his everlasting legacy. Roger is a powerful force on the global stage, and his influence will undoubtedly continue to drive the sport of tennis and industry as a whole forward.”
“Having spent my whole career playing with Wilson rackets, I’m excited about the new RF Collection that we’ve created together,” says Roger Federer. “I’m honored that Wilson is continuing my legacy by further innovating the game I love, and I hope the collection inspires the stars of today as much as I was inspired the first time that I picked up a Wilson racket.”
SAPCA forthcoming events
13 November 2024
SAPCA Technical Meeting, East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham
27 February 2025
SAPCA Conference and Awards Dinner, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
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