Searching for the next Andy Murray: Youth tennis receives £1m in funding to 'supercharge' sport

A further £1m is to be injected into Scottish schools to deliver tennis in a bid to “supercharge the sport” and find the next Andy Murray.

Every child in Scotland will have the opportunity to try tennis through the national schools programme LTA Youth Schools, which is already in place in more than half of Scottish schools.

The LTA, LTA Tennis Foundation, Tennis Scotland, sportscotland and the Scottish Government say they are working together to grow the sport.

This new investment aims to grow participation in tennis and recognise the inspirational achievements of Sir Andy Murray and brother Jamie over many years.

It also highlights the ongoing achievements in the sport by the likes of Gordon Reid, Jacob Fearnley, Cameron Norrie and Maia Lumsden.

Forbes Dunlop, chief executive of sportscotland, said the latest funding will “break down barriers” to participation in the sport.

He added: “By building on our strong partnership with Tennis Scotland, the LTA and Scottish Government, our aim is to deliver free tennis in schools right across the country, enabling more children and young people to reap the benefits of sport and physical activity.”

Chief executive of Tennis Scotland Blane Dodds said there is a “massive appetite” for the sport in Scotland, while sport minister Maree Todd said tennis stars such as Andy Murray are inspiring the next generation of players.

She added: “This additional funding will widen access to the sport in our schools by offering every young person in the country the opportunity to pick up a racket and ball to play tennis.”