Scottish secretary meets with LTA chief to ensure "Murray legacy" is not lost

Scottish Secretary David Mundell has met with Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) chief executive Scott Lloyd to discuss plans to develop the sport in Scotland and across the UK.

The meeting followed House of Commons exchanges earlier this year, when members of parliament stressed the need to capitalise on the success of the Dunblane-born tennis stars Andy and Jamie Murray.

In March, Toby Perkins, the Labour MP for Chesterfield – and a leading member of the all-party parliamentary group on tennis – tabled a question for the House of Commons about the lack of elite tennis in Scotland.

The Murrays and LTA have, historically, had a complicated relationship – especially when it comes to investing in grassroots tennis.

Both Andy and Jamie – as well as their mother and former coach Judy Murray – have been vocal in questioning a "lack of investment" and demanded “action and delivery” to improve the sport in Scotland.

In January, three-time Grand Slam winner Andy said "not enough has been done" to build on British success in recent years, adding: "I'm not sure Britain has really capitalised on the last seven or eight years of success we've had."

Speaking following his meeting at the LTA on Thursday 16 May, Mr Mundell said: "I met Scott and heard at first hand the work the LTA is doing to develop the sport in Scotland, alongside Tennis Scotland, and across the whole of the UK.

"Andy and Jamie Murray are two of Scotland’s greatest sports stars. They are also two of the most popular – and I’m in no doubt their success must be harnessed to develop tennis.

"I’m pleased to see progress towards this with the introduction of a Murray Trophy tournament in Glasgow in September in honour of the family’s contribution to the sport."

Scott Lloyd added: "Scotland has a fantastic sporting heritage and forms a central part of the LTA’s plans to open up tennis in Britain and make it a sport for all.

"Our work in Scotland includes a £7.5m capital investment in new indoor facilities."

Last year, the LTA announced that Stirling University would become one of two national academies (along with Loughborough University) for the sport.