Fresh from competing in the US Open Colin Fleming will be on his Davis Cup team-mates’ Andy and Jamie Murray’s patch this weekend as he helps demonstrate the potential of a version of tennis that has swept the world but has only recently reached Scotland.

Padel Tennis is being described as both a perfect introductory and exit version of what is a technically difficult sport to master because it is easy and fun to play.

Combining elements of squash, lawn tennis, real tennis and even, in the relatively hard, string-less bats, table tennis, it is played on a court two thirds the size of a tennis court, with glass or concrete walls which are in play and, once a few eccentricities are negotiated, like having to bounce the ball before serving underarm, extraordinarily straightforward to start playing.

Fleming will consequently be at Bridge of Allan Sports Club (BOASC) - where Andy and Jamie are honorary members, their mother Judy have honed her racquet skills there – to play in an exhibition match which will be part of a day-long celebration of the official opening of their new Padel Tennis court which has already attracted considerable interest.

Installed in July most of the club’s tennis players have tried the game and visitors have come from other clubs across the country, but rather than a direct bid to boost membership the club is opening up this facility to visitors on a pay-to-play basis, having recognised it as something that might appeal to those more interested in playing occasionally or merely interested in investigating whether they have any racquet skills.

It also reflects a growing awareness that joining clubs is not for everyone and can even be a barrier to participation. Free taster sessions are consequently available until the end of September and thereafter fees are £5 for non-members.

“It all started a few years ago with a regular group of our members who go to Spain every year to play tennis. One day tennis courts in La Finca were full and they decided to play Padel Tennis. They all enjoyed playing it and on their return (former Scottish champion) Kenny Wood looked at options of bringing this facility to BOASC,” explained Andy Scott, a member of the club’s committee.

“Committee members backed the idea as they felt this would be a great addition to the club without taking any facilities away and with grant funding available from Legacy 2014 this made project feasible.

“We are hoping to attract communities and schools to try the sport which will hopefully get them playing more traditional racket sports like tennis and squash.

“Also with padel this should keep older members playing and be attractive to youngsters picking up a racket for the first time.

“The club is very keen to work with (neighbouring) Stirling University and local schools and clubs to get more people playing sport.”

The wider popularity of this version of tennis demonstrates its enormous potential with courts having sprung up all over Europe and South America, while in Spain alone there are reported to be more than 135,000 courts and 2.5 million registered players.

With more than 30 padel courts having also been built in England in the past three years there are also serious questions to be asked about why it has taken so long for two courts to be built in Scotland, the other having been installed at the Edinburgh Sports Club last year and why there are not more all over the country.

As Scott’s fellow committee member Walter McAllister pointed out, the key for tennis and all sport is to start reaching out to the widest possible range of people and in particular those not currently involved in organised sport.

“Our membership comprises ladies and gents, seniors and juniors, those with serious team-playing abilities as well as the less ambitious who play simply for fun or simply to keep fit. Amongst our membership we accommodate players with disabilities and wheelchair users,” he pointed out.

“We are confident that this project will attract a wide range of players from our existing demographic membership, which spans at least eight decades, the wider community, and the underrepresented groups we seek to engage.

“Padel Tennis can be played with mixed couples, family members, seniors and is also easily accessible to children who will develop important skills.

“It gives players the opportunity to socialise easily and encourages participation in social events, tournaments and championships. The court enclosure retains the ball within the playing area which makes it ideal for wheelchair users and players with disabilities.

“The sport also has a high intensity for the professionals so this sport truly offers everything to clubs.

“All sport and activity gives instant health and wellbeing benefits, but not all sport is necessarily fun! The benefits of Padel are an added bonus to the participation in the sport.”

As the club opens its doors to the public Saturday’s festivities aim to show off all its facilities with Padel Tennis, tennis and squash exhibition matches.