Tennis: Murray brothers are on the march

Jul 1 2009 by Stephen Robertson, Stirling Observer Wednesday

MURRAY MANIA is well and truly upon us as Andy and Jamie both forged ahead with their respective Wimbledon campaigns this week.

The Dunblane brothers’ progress has certainly brought a feel-good factor to the area as excitement builds to fever pitch and locals have united in getting behind their respective bids for Wimbledon title glory.

Andy almost brought the house down as he battled his way into his second successive Wimbledon singles quarter-final with a thrilling win over Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka under the Centre Court’s new roof late on Monday night. He now faces Spain’s Juan Carlos Ferrero in the last eight later today (Wednesday) for a place in the semi-finals.

On the doubles courts, big brother Jamie, stayed on track to follow on from his superb mixed doubles success at Wimbledon two years ago as he and current playing partner Liezel Huber made it through to the third round where they will face sixth seeds Mike Bryan and Bethanie Mattek-Sands today.

Among those backing the boys in the run up to today’s crunch clashes is Dunblane Sports Club, where their journey to stardom all started.

A club spokesperson said: “Everyone at the club, in Scotland and most people in the UK are rooting for Andy.

“The fact you have to be older than 73 to have been around the last time someone from these isles won the Wimbledon men’s singles title is unbelievable.

“Whilst he reached the quarter-finals last year, the Andy of this year looks a far more complete player. Without taking anything for granted or taking anything away from Roger Federer, who showed in the US and French Open that he is back to almost his best, you have to say that if Andy does reach the final he has a great chance.

“Monday’s match was incredible and of course he and Wawrinka know each other’s play so well. At the risk of tempting fate, you wouldn’t expect Ferrero, whom he dealt with fairly easily at Queen’s, to cause Andy the same sort of problems in the quarter-finals.”

Dave MacDermid of Tennis Scotland said: “Already both locally and across Scotland we are seeing the Murray effect in terms of the interest being shown in tennis.

“We of course, are right behind both Andy and Jamie at Wimbledon.”

Stirling Provost Fergus Wood also passed on his good luck message. Provost Wood said: “Andy and Jamie Murray are fantastic ambassadors for sport, young people and for Scotland.

“I wish them both the best for Wimbledon and the remainder of the season.”

A spokesperson for Active Stirling said: “We’re backing Andy Murray to go all the way this year at Wimbledon.

“In support of both his and big brother Jamie’s achievements we are also offering a number of opportunities for young children to get out and learn tennis skills. There is tennis coaching taking place at the Keir Street Courts in Bridge of Allan from July 13 -17 and there will be lots of tennis on offer as part of The Peak camps taking place at the sports village throughout the summer.”

For more information on the Active Stirling’s summer tennis programme, go to the website at www.activestirling.org.uk.