Adobe StockUp-and-coming teenage tennis stars risk having to abandon their dreams unless development plans for players are “overhauled”, Judy Murray has warned.
The coach and former tennis player, who is the mother of two-time Wimbledon champion Sir Andy Murray and multiple major doubles titles winner Jamie Murray, has urged Tennis Scotland to change its talent training and scouting programme.
Ms Murray says those living outside the central belt are not benefiting from Tennis Scotland’s status quo.
She has called for more training centres throughout Scotland, investing in local clubs and coaches, the development of a workforce of tennis experts, and more support for junior players through opportunities to compete nationally and internationally.
Ms Murray said: “The current system does not work for young tennis players in Scotland, the whole strategy for player development needs to be overhauled.
“It is so infuriating and disappointing that so many young players are not getting the opportunities they should. I worry that instead of chasing their dreams, too many will be forced to give up on their ambitions unless Tennis Scotland looks seriously at how it works with youngsters beyond the central belt.
Supplied“It is a huge challenge when you have a talented child and don’t live in proximity to existing facilities and coaches with a proven track record in player development.
“The time for travel to and from training and competition, the costs and the overall impact on family life are huge. The onus is on the parents to make it all happen.”
She added: “Tennis Scotland must be more understanding of the challenges to parents and players, more ambitious to ensuring we develop talent into world class players and acknowledge our future tennis stars can come from anywhere in the country.
“It’s time to work across Scotland to develop and nurture talent and not just leave it to parents to try to find appropriate training opportunities and fund it all.
“Families shouldn’t be forced to take on extra jobs or make financial sacrifices, it’s not acceptable.
“If the governing body identifies players at a young age and sets them on their “performance pathway” they need to be sure that the pathway works both financially and logistically. In my opinion the pathway is flawed, and many parents are looking for alternative options for their kids.”
Dominik Czopek, 15, is a promising young tennis player from Dumfries.
As a member of his local tennis club, he wants to go professional one day, having previously been identified as a rising star by Tennis Scotland in 2021.
He and his family have had to make several sacrifices to nurture his talent, with his parents altering their work weeks to ensure their son gets the support he needs in his career.
SuppliedMagdalena Czopek, Dominik’s mother, said: “Dominik works so hard, he has since he was young and as parents you want your child to be able to follow their dreams.
“We have worked to make sure Dominik can seize any opportunity that comes his way, from playing at the regional player development centre to attending Merchiston School in Edinburgh on a scholarship, it’s not easy but we have made the sacrifices.
“But the regional centre only caters for players up to 14, after that it seems like you’re on your own.
“Now as Dominik looks to make that next progression through junior tennis, we know how important getting international training and competing opportunities are, but we don’t have the resources to be able to afford that, we have already taken on additional work and made other financial sacrifices.
“And while we are thankful for the support we have gotten through the years, if Dominik wants to continue pursuing his dream of playing tennis professionally we need more.”
Dominik said: “Playing tennis professionally is my dream. I look at the success of Andy and Jamie Murray and would love to be able to replicate that one day.
“I know how hard I have to work if I do want to be able to compete against the best in the world, and hopefully that is something I can achieve.”
A spokesperson for Tennis Scotland said: “Tennis Scotland delivers the LTA performance strategy in Scotland, which, thanks to record investment from the LTA, has provided a national coaching team and a lead coach in each of the 9 Scottish tennis districts, all of whom are working hard to develop young players close to home.
“We’re also taking tennis into every school in Scotland, giving pupils the chance to try the sport for free and creating links with local clubs to drive sustained participation, while players are also benefiting from the Tennis Scotland Tour, which is backed by £100,000 of sponsorship investment and provides funding and support via record prize money for players to compete and travel internationally.
“Tennis is thriving in Scotland, with record club membership and participation, while a number of new indoor and outdoor facilities have been created in recent years, with further significant and exciting announcements to come soon.”
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