THE chief executive of the Lawn Tennis Association has rejected claims from Jamie Murray that Tennis Scotland have failed to capitalise on the success of his brother, Andy.
Jamie Murray, 28, criticised on Twitter the lack of facilities being built to help youngsters make it to the top of the game following Andy's grand slam tournament wins. However, Michael Downey, who joined the LTA as chief executive in January after nine years at Tennis Canada, backed Tennis Scotland yesterday, saying the LTA was about to strike a four-year agreement with the sports body to "put some money into the facilities side".
Asked if the window of opportunity offered by Andy Murray's grand slam tournament successes had been missed, he replied: "No, no. First of all, Andy is going to be around for years." He said the Murray legacy would endure beyond his playing career, adding: "Andy is going to be helping us for decades."
The chief executive admitted he had not yet talked to Andy to find out his views on the future of the sport in Britain, but he said contact would be made now the season was over. He believes Britain is lucky to have three Murrays passionate about the game, praising Judy Murray's input as "phenomenal".
Tennis Scotland president Ian Conway and his deputy, Jacqui Duncan, have resigned over concerns about the body's recruitment process and the association was then hit by the Jamie Murray criticisms.
However, Downey said: "Our friends north of the border have done some really good work. They have worked with local authorities to generate some funding as well as from the government and sportscotland. We are about to embark on a four-year agreement with Tennis Scotland and we will be putting some money in to the facilities side as well. They are going to have a pot of money to fund some projects that have been percolating."
He added: "We feel very bullish about the opportunities in Scotland, especially as that Andy Murray factor is going to live for a long time."
Downey also confirmed that the choice of the Emirates Arena in Glasgow for the Davis Cup tie against USA in March was made after consultation with the players. "So Andy said yes?" Downey was asked. "Andy said yes," he replied with a smile.
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