EAST OF SCOTLAND LADIES FLY THE FLAG FOR SCOTLAND

29.10.2008

The East of Scotland Ladies 40's squad has qualified for the final of the prestigious LTA National Inter-County event to be played next month. They will meet Devon in the final, and are the only Scottish team to make it through in any of the nine age groups competing.

This is the second time the East Ladies 40's team have reached this final stage since the splitting of the premier division, having been crowned British Champions in 2005. Last year they were runners up to Essex. This year they saw off the challenges of Dorset, Middlesex, Leicestershire, Herts and Yorkshire to reach the final.

The final will take place in Dudley on Saturday 8^th November and Captain Rosie Dennis is hoping that they can repeat their success of three years ago, "We are delighted to have reached the final again this year and we are looking forward to playing Devon . We have a great team spirit and being the only Scottish team at the finals is an added incentive to play well."

The East squad comprises Rosie and her Blackhall colleagues Alison Murchie and Jane Russell, along with Dunfermline's Allison Wood.

The finals of the 2008 Inter-County Championships will be played at the Next Generation Club, Pensnett Road, Brierley Hill DY5 3YP on 7 and 8 November. The schedule is as follows:

Friday 7 November

0945 Men 60- Avon v Essex

Men 65- Kent v Surrey

1230 Women 60- Cheshire v Surrey

Women 65- Essex v Kent

Men 70- Essex v Hertfordshire

Saturday 8 November

0945 Women 50- Surrey v Dorset

Men 45- Essex v Lancashire

Women 40- East of Scotland v Devon

Men 55 - Essex v Kent

*Inter county vets tennis is growing and there are currentlyaround 20 age groups teams competing from the four Scottish counties. (7 in East; 9+ in West and at least 2 each in north and south)Inter- county team age groupevents cover 35s to 70s;with national and international events going up to 80s.

More info is available on webs site www.vetstennisgb.org.

DAVIS CUP RETURNS TO SCOTLAND

27.10.2008

Hundreds of children will have the opportunity to watch world class tennis for free when the Great Britain versus Ukraine Davis Cup by BNP Paribas tie is held in Braehead Arena, Renfrewshire from 6-8^th March 2009. The box office opens today, Monday October 27^th at 11am - 0870 444 6062 or www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

The tie is a Euro-Africa Zone Group One quarterfinal tie with the winner going on to compete in the World Group Play-offs in September and the losing nation playing in July to remain in Group One. The staging of the tie in Scotland has been made possible by the support of EventScotland, Renfrewshire Council and the Braehead Arena.

John Lloyd, GB Davis Cup Captain, said: "Home Davis Cup ties are a fantastic opportunity to get behind the team and we will be looking for plenty of support when we take on Ukraine next year. We last played them in 2006 in Odessa which was my first tie as Captain. It was a tough tie and we will certainly not be underestimating them - the support of a passionate crowd in Scotland could well make all the difference.

"2008 was a disappointing year for us particularly when we had worked so hard to get back into the World Group but the focus is now on fighting to get back among the elite nations in 2010 and I can't wait to get started in March."

David Marshall, Tennis Scotland CEO, commented, "It's great news that the Ukraine tie is coming to Scotland and while the match with Serbia two years ago was a fantastic experience, given the increased Scottish presence in the squad since then, this one should be even better.

"Interest in tennis as a sport is on the increase at all levels within the country and having such a high profile event will greatly assist in broadening the base. Between now and March, Tennis Scotland will be working hard to put in place a series of associated events surrounding the tie which will undoubtedly include free coaching in schools in the build up to the tie. This type of initiative is part of our ongoing drive to make tennis accessible to everyone and we must ensure we maximize the opportunities that staging a vital Davis Cup clash at Braehead will bring."

Paul Bush, Chief Operating Officer of EventScotland, said: "We are really looking forward to welcoming Davis Cup tennis back to Scotland next year.

"Some 36 years had passed since Scotland last hosted the Davis Cup before we succeeded in bringing the event to Braehead in 2006, so we are delighted to have been able to attract the elite of British tennis back to Scotland within just two years.

"Next year is proving to be a year in which Scotland will host some of the biggest sporting tournaments in the world with top-class rugby, motorsport, golf and now tennis all destined to be part of an impressive calendar of sporting events across the country."

Renfrewshire Council Leader Derek Mackay said: "I am delighted that this important Davis Cup tie is coming to Renfrewshire. Braehead has proved its worth as a venue for the Davis Cup before and it's great to see top class tennis return there. We are committed to encouraging participation in sport at all levels and this high profile match will boost that goal. Attracting international events to Renfrewshire is also good for tourism and good for our economy."

SCOTS DUO BID FOR EURO GLORY

27.10.2008

Edinburgh University and the University of Stirling will be flying the flag for Scotland at next month's second European Collegiate Tennis Association Champions League Finals after successfully coming through the qualifying groups.

The Scottish pair will be joined by reigning champions Montpellier University, Moscow University, University of Montenegro, Leeds Met University, Warsaw University and Bath University at the LTA National Tennis Centre in Roehampton from the 14^th to 16^th November following the qualifiers staged in France, Scotland, Republic of Ireland and Montenegro.

The ECTA Tennis Champions League, sponsored by Barclays Bank and Tretorn, brings together the top men's and women's tennis teams from across Europe and ECTA Operations Director, former top Scottish player Euan McGinn, commented, "Now that we're in our second year, the event is now starting to command a higher level of interest and commitment from around Europe and complements the European University Sports Association Championships which are being held in Dublin in December. At ECTA, we are determined to raise the profile of European University tennis and to provide high quality playing opportunities for top university players across the continent.

"Interest and support for ECTA has been encouraging - and talks are well advanced with a view to staging the first Ryder Cup style event in 2010 where European players will have the opportunity to take on their US counterparts.

"The standard of University tennis in the UK and across Europe is rising and ECTA has picked up the baton at the right time - these events provide an excellent shop window to help showcase the talent and to encourage growth in the sector."

Running in tandem with the Finals will be the inaugural Barclays ECTA Women's Invitational Event at Loughborough University with players from all over Europe competing, while ECTA has also confirmed that Tretorn will be the official ball supplier for the organisationuntil 2010.

For more information visit www.ectatennis.com.

REID BECOMES YOUNGEST BRITISH NO. 1

29.09.2008

After a tough Paralympic Games debut in Beijing, Helensburgh's Gordon Reid is beginning the four-year cycle to what he hopes will be a medal-winning performance in London in 2012 with a new item on his ever-expanding and impressive CV - thatof Britain's youngest ever British Men's No 1 wheelchair tennis player.

Sixteen-year-old Reid, who turns 17 later this week, takes over the mantle of Britain's youngest Men's No 1 from the previous player to have held that distinction - Nottinghamshire 19-year-old David Phillipson. In the wake of the Paralympics, Phillipson has dropped points he won at the 2007 Spanish Open, putting him once place below world No 30 Reid.

"It's a nice way to start the next four year journey to London and to be the youngest British Men's No 1 is quite an honour," said Reid, who had the misfortune of being drawn against world No 2 and reigning Paralympic champion Robin Ammerlaan of the Netherlands for this men's singles first round match in Beijing.

In the event, Reid lost 3-6, 0-6 to Ammerlaan, but was happy with his efforts, especially considering that Ammerlaan lost to world No 1 Shingo Kunieda of Japan by the same score in the Beijing Paralympics men's singles gold medal match.

"I was4-0down in the first,brought it back to 4-3 and was two points away from levelling the first setat 4-4," said Reid."I could seeI had him under pressure and he wasn't quite sure how toplay me, althoughhis experience toldin the end, butit gives me a lot of belief for what I can achieve in the years to come,"added Reid, whose next tournament is in Cardiff in mid-October.

Meanwhile, fellow Scot and fellow Beijing Paralympian Kevin Simpson has also had a recent boost after reaching his highest career singles ranking of No 46. Despite also losing out in three close sets in his first round match in Beijing, Linlithgow-based Simpson also went to a career high the week after the Games as he, too, joins Reid in looking ahead to London 2012.

MT -Tennis Foundation

SCOTS FINISH 2ND AT HOME NATIONS INTERNATIONAL

14.09.08

Congratulations to the Scotland squad who came second overall in the Home Nations International played at Roehampton last weekend. The team came second in the 12's, 14's and 18's categories and third in the Seniors.

A full breakdown of results can be found below:

Home Internationals 12u

Home Internationals 14u

Home Internationals 18u

Home Internationals Senior

CALUM BEATS THE BIG BOYS!

05.09.08

Andy Murray is inspiring a new generation of Scottish tennis players - and 10-year-old Calum MacGeoch is one of them. A pupil at the Tennis Academy based at Merchiston School in Edinburgh, he has just won the men's title at Rothiemurchus and Aviemore Club.

The youngster defeated Dave Fidoe 6-3, 6-4 in the singles final and the pair teamed up to win the men's doubles. In the semis, Fidoe defeated world cup skier, Noel Baxter.

Calum has been playing the game for three years and already has his sights on becoming a professional. He says Andy Murray is his hero.

Calum, a former pupil of Deshar Primary School in Boat-of-Garten, has been at the Tennis Academy for a year.

He combines his schooling at Merchiston Castle School with an intensive on-court programme prepared by Tennis Scotland.

He is coached at the academy by South African Marcel du Coudray - who used to work with ATP Tour star Nikolay Davydenko - while Andy's mother, Judy Murray, also has a-hands on role in her position as talent and performance manager for Scotland.

Tennis runs in the MacGeoch family. Calum's older sister - Ailie - finished runner-up in the women's singles final. Losing out 1-6 2-6 to the experienced Amanda Shepherd.

RO - inthewinningzone.com

FLEMING AND BIRNIE LIFT GRAND PRIX TITLES

01.09.2008

In a thrilling climax to the Scottish Grand Prix, no. 1 seed Colin Fleming and unseeded Claire Birnie, fought off tough competition to lift the Tennis Scotland Senior Grand Prix titles.

In the men's tournament, Colin Fleming (Linlithgow) met old rival Keith Meisner (Elgin and seeded no. 2) in the final, beating his former Stirling University team mate 6-2, 6-2. Fleming met Alan McDonald and James Drummond in previous rounds and did not drop a game until the final against Meisner.

Meanwhile in the ladies event, unseeded Claire Birnie (RGU / Cults) beat no. 1 seed and last year's winner Caitlin Steel (Western) 6-4 6-4 to set up a meeting with no. 4 seed Katie Gater (Dunblane). Gater had beaten no. 2 seed Henderson (Cults / DL Aberdeen) in the semi-finals to make it through to the final.

In a thrilling final, Birnie dropped the first set 3-6 to Gater, but fought hard to claim the next two 7-5, 6-3 to put her name on the trophy.

For a full breakdown of results, click below.

Scottish Senior Grand Prix Final Results

TOP QUALITY FIELD FOR WEEKEND GRAND PRIX

28.08.08

This weekend sees the climax of the Scottish tennis calendar with Whitecraigs in Glasgow hosting the Tennis Scotland Scottish Open Prix, which is open to the top twelve players who have gained the most points from the qualifying tournaments throughout the year.

Linlithgow's Colin Fleming, the former doubles partner of Jamie Murray, is top seed for the men's event, with Elgin's Keith Meisner, seeded number two. Fleming will open his bid for the title against either the host club's James Drummond, who has received a wild card, or Blackhall's Scott Nisbet. Meisner will meet either Dean Little (Dumfries) or Thistle's Euan Bell.

Also taking part are Alan Macdonald (3,Thistle), Ken Wood (4, Dunfermline), James Mckie (Waverley /Tennis Scotland Academy Merchiston), Gary Smith (Newlands), Scott Nicholls (Western) & Stewart Crerar (Thistle).

In the women's event, another wild card, Caitlin Steel (Western) is seeded to face Aberdeen's Joanna Henderson in Sunday's final. 14 year old Joanna goes into the event on the back of a fantastic showing in the British 16 and under Nationals, where she won the doubles and reached the semi-finals of the singles.

First up for Caitlin is either Shona Graham (Kinnoull) or Western's Jamie Smith while Joanna meets Dunblane's Julia Blackwood or Newlands' Christine Lockhart.

The remainder of the women's field comprises Liana Park (3, Dunfermline), Katie Gater (4, Dunblane), Claire Birnie (Cults), Jennifer Green (Arbroath), Morven McCulloch (St Andrews / Tennis Scotland Academy St George's) & Jotie Purba (Western).

Play gets underway at 10 am on Saturday morning with the finals scheduled for 1 pm on Sunday.

HENDERSON WINS NATIONAL TITLE AT BOURNEMOUTH

15.08.08

Joanna Henderson, from Aberdeen, has been crowned National Champion after beating no. 2 Caitlin Hindmarsh 7/6, 6/3 in the final of the U14 Junior National Championships in Bournemouth. A pre-tournament favourite and top seed, Henderson did not drop a set en-route to the final. In the semi-finals, Henderson defeated Norfolk's Pippa Horn 6-0 6-2.

It has been a great competition for Henderson, who teamed up with fellow Scot Morven McCulloch in the Girls' 14U Doubles Final yesterday. The no.1 seeds met Hindmarsh and partner Kyria Dunford, and lost narrowly 5-7 6-2 [10-3].

TEAM GB FINISH SECOND AT WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

11.08.08

Great Britain's girls lost out 2-1 to the United States in the final of the World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic after defeating the favourites Russia in the last four.

Aberdeen's Joanna Henderson lost a marathon singles match 2-6 6-4 6-4 having been firmly in control for the first set and a half. Wimbledon Junior Champion Laura Robson won in straight sets to level the contest before Joanna and Laura were pipped in the doubles, going down 6-4 2-6 4-6.

HENDERSON AND ROBSON BEAT RUSSIANS TO MAKE WORLD CUP FINALS

08.08.08

Aberdeen's Joanna Henderson, partnered by Wimbledon Junior Girls champion Laura Robson, won the deciding rubber to beat European champions and overwhelming favourites Russia and reach the final of the World Junior event in Prostejov in the Czech Republic.

The win was even sweeter as the British girls lost to the Russians in February in the final of the European Winter Cup competition in the deciding doubles.

The Russians took the early initiative as Yulia Putinetsva beat Jessica Ren 7-6 6-2. Then in an epic match, current Wimbledon Junior Champion defeated Russian no.1 Daria Gavrilova 6-3 6-7 6-2.

The deciding doubles match lasted over 2 1/2 hours. Laura and Joanna Henderson lost the first set in a tie break but fought back to take the 2nd set 6-3. They kept the momentum going and held their nerve to beat the recently crowned European doubles champions 6-4 in the 3rd set. GB will now meet the USA in the final on Saturday.

HENDERSON GOING FOR GOLD IN CZECH REPUBLIC

06.08.08 Aberdeen tennis star Joanna Henderson is preparing to team up with Wimbledon junior champion Laura Robson in the semi-finals of the World Junior Tennis Finals in the Czech Republic tomorrow, when they will face a strong team from Russia.

Along with Jessica Ren (Yorkshire), Joanna and Laura (Middlesex) are representing Britain in a group which also includes Australia, Tunisia and Bolivia.

A total of 16 teams are taking part in the event, being held in Prostejov, which has never been won by the GB girls team.

Matches started on Monday and having been seeded fourth, the GB girls have eased through theirround-robingroups without losing a match.

They played their final group match against Bolivia earlier today and have won both singles matches.

Joanna and Laura were also playing the dead doubles rubber today.

Tomorrow they will face a very strong Russian team in the semi-finals.

The British girls lost to the Russians in February in the final of the European Winter Cup competition in the deciding doubles rubber, so they hope to go one better tomorrow.

WHAT'S THIS RACQUET?

25.07.08 - By Dave Macdermid

It's a question that crops up like clockwork with the onset of the grass court season and one which, to date, it has been not easy to respond to with a definitive answer, but when the inevitable barrage of 'what is being done to produce the next Andy Murray?' queries are being volleyed from all directions over the past few weeks, a close look at what is happening in Scottish tennis reveals a relatively healthy state of affairs.

With Jamie Baker, despite his unfortunate illness from which he has now thankfully recovered, continuing to make progress up the ATP rankings, Jamie Murray excelling on the doubles tour, and junior grand slam winner Graeme Dyce having completed the first year of his scholarship at the University of Kentucky, the senior landscape is as strong as it ever has been. But what of those who are demonstrating tremendous potential but for whom stepping out on Centre Court at Wimbledon is something that can only be dreamt about and still several years down the road?

Nobody in the sport in this country is in a better position to assess the current crop of juniors than Tennis Scotland's National Coach Ellinore Lightbody. And the good news is that Ellinore is really excited about the quality of our youngsters and the prospects for the game in the years to come. "There is no doubt whatsoever that we have several players with the ability and character to really make their mark in the future and without getting complacent in any shape or form, I can confidently state that, at the top end of the junior game, Scotland is right up there."

Of course the transition from promising junior to being established within the senior game is one of monumental proportions and one that requires substantially more than simply raw talent, as Judy Murray explains. "My role is to identify and develop players in the 8 to 12 age band. We are performing pretty well at GB level with national champions in 12 and under girls and 10 and under boys and girls at the recent LTA clay court events.

"From the end of this month there will be three new Tennis Scotland staff specifically looking to create additional training and competitive opportunities for 6 to 9 year olds. This should significantly increase the numbers of kids playing tennis and consequently give us a bigger talent pool.

"The number of performance players in Scotland is currently very small but we have proved we can do a good job with the few we have, up to the age of 12-13. Beyond that age, when the international level players need a competitive training environment and access to a variety of court surfaces and committed sparring partners, we still need to look outside the country.

"While ultimately it is our aim to establish an international training base in Scotland, we need to significantly increase the numbers of players first and, just as importantly, develop more performance coaches."

Behind the scenes, the winds of change are also prevalent within the corridors of Tennis Scotland. A new board of directors, leaner and more in keeping with the commercial requirements of the 21st century, has greatly speeded up the decision making process while additional resources have been in the operations team who are pivotal in both developing the game at all levels and identifying talented youngsters. Heading that revolution is Chief Executive David Marshall. "It's a challenging but very exciting time for the sport and while a huge level of hard work has already taken place to get where we are today, there is so much still to do.

"It's all about raising the bar and getting more people to take up the game. Having role models such as Andy Murray helps to achieve just that and initiatives such as our series of tennis festivals, supported by Dow Chemicals and The Stewart Milne Group, give boys and girls the opportunity to receive free coaching and help the links between our clubs and our schools.

"The more people we have participating in the game of tennis in Scotland, the greater the chances of discovering the next potential star of the future. However, if we are actually to achieve the numbers playing that we would ultimately wish for, we would then have a real issue in terms of the lack of facilities. Of the nine districts in Scotland, three have no indoor facilities and that, quite frankly, is unacceptable, given the vagaries of our climate."

LIFE BEGINS AT 80 FOR CHAMPION JUNE!

Turning 80 is, in itself, quite an accomplishment, however, one north-east lady has marked the occasion by winning her first ever tennis tournament!

June Marr was competing in a Westburn Tennis Centre social event, just 11 days ahead of her 80th birthday, where she fought off stiff competition from six other couples with her doubles partner, local coach Chris Hodsden, to win the competition.

The tournament was run on a timed basis and June and Chris battled hard against competition from the likes of Claire Birnie, the Scottish Indoor Champion and Cults first team player, Adam Telatovich, before being crowned as the champions.

June was encouraged to take up the sport by friend Sheila Mackenzie after the passing of her husband 15 years ago. She has been receiving weekly coaching which has resulted in all areas of her game improving, particularly from a tactical perspective."

June said: "It was great to have my first taste of success and even better as it came just shy of my 80th birthday.

"I took up tennis mainly for the enjoyment factor, but also to get some exercise and to socialise and meet new people. So far I have done all these things and I have no plan to stop in the foreseeable future."

June has been a regular at the Westburn Tennis Centre ever since she attended an open day back in 1994, where she had the pleasure of meeting Sir Cliff Richard. She has been attending twice weekly 'Westburn Masters' (classes for 50+) classes up until a recent injury ruled her out for 3 months.

Westburn Masters class is open to players wanting to find a social tennis group for mature players of various standards, iuncluding doubles play, coaching and demonstrations led by resident coach and British Veterans Champion Jimmy Wood.

Classes are every Monday and Wednesday at 2-4pm and places can be booked by calling the Westburn Tennis Centre on 01224 625 342.