JAMIE Murray is on the other side of the pond right now, typically going the distance in pursuit of US Open doubles glory, but thoughts of home are never far away. All the glamour of the Grand Slams are forgotten for a moment ass the 33-year-old contemplates the prospect of headlining the Murray Trophy at Scotstoun in a fortnight’s time.
Andy may be unable to compete in the Challenger Event which bears his family name due to his commitments out in China, but Jamie has been closely involved with the LTA in planning this event. He will enter the doubles – whether his regular partner Neal Skupski will be there too is as yet unknown – with aspiring British players like Jay Clarke and Jack Draper battling it out in the singles against respected tour players like Malik Jaziri (World No 103), Ruben Bemelmans (No 181) and Kenny de Schepper (No 286). Murray protégé, and Scotland’s own, Aidan McHugh is in the running for a wild card.
Whether Jamie’s commitments stretch to personally meeting them all at the airport, no better commendation is there about the level of player who is likely to turn up in Glasgow than the fact Andy himself was gracing this level of play as recently as last week at Rafa Nadal’s academy in Mallorca. Ticket sales have been brisk, with the venue sold out over the weekend already.
“People are used to turning on their TV and seeing Federer, Nadal and Djokovic play but the level of player throughout the game is so high now, the depth is pretty amazing really,” said Jamie. “I’m not sure what the cut was for our event, probably around 350-400 but there are a lot of guys who have had big wins in their career in the draw and there will be a lot of great tennis.”
While the Murray family, with perhaps the help of the LTA, dream of hosting an ATP Tour event in the city at some point too, getting the chance to compete in Scotland is something Jamie never takes for granted. He reflects back on an early doubles victory in Glasgow at Futures level in the company of Colin Fleming in 2005.
“Myself and Colin would have been playing a lot of Futures tournaments, and satellites back then,” the 33-year-old said. “There aren’t so many opportunities for British players on home soil now so it is great for our guys to have this opportunity to play.
“I have been pretty heavily involved from the beginning,” the 33-year-old added. “It was in May last year but we have tried to put on a better spot in the calendar, because I think it is important we have major events in Britain outside the grass season. I’m looking forward to playing. The only chance I get to play in Scotland is Davis Cup, so to get out there and play a tournament in Scotland, for me it is really cool, a great opportunity and something I am looking forward to. I will get some good support.”
Perhaps it is fitting that it is Jamie, and not Andy, who is taking the bow in front of his ain folk. After all, he got the better of his younger brother on a rare meeting on the doubles court as recently as the Cincinnati Masters this month. “It was a weird thing to have to go through, but at the end of the day it was an hour and a half of our lives,” says Andy. “Just get your heads down, compete and shake hands at the end of it and be done with it. For me it is just great to see him back on the court, enjoying it and playing well. It might take him a while to find his feet and get his level back but that is part of the process.”
**The Murray Trophy Glasgow will take place at Scotstoun Leisure Centre, Glasgow, from 16th – 22nd September 2019. Tickets are priced from £12 for adults and £6 for children. To find out more, visit www.lta.org.uk/murraytrophy”
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