People ask me how ‘our Andy’ is .. it’s national treasure stuff. The backing for what my boys did is amazing and Scots support a lasting legacy
TENNIS IT WAS ALL FOR NOTHING FEAR GARY RALSTON
“I still find it quite hard to believe sometimes that in 2016 they ended up world No.1s in singles and doubles.
“Really? Two little kids from Dunblane, with its soggy artificial grass courts? It’s staggering.
“When I was young I was the Scottish No.1, which might sound quite good, but hardly anybody was competing and one man and his dog came to watch.
“There was no profile, nothing. I could never have imagined we would have the success we have enjoyed since. Two Davis Cup semi-finals in Glasgow? Are you kidding me?
“When Andy had his press conference in Australia and revealed he wasn’t sure how much longer he could play, I was blown away by the outpouring of love for him across the country.
“I can’t walk anywhere without someone asking me how he is doing – and it’s ‘our Andy’. It’s a national treasure thing and it’s something to be lauded and applauded for the long term.
“I think the Scottish public want to see something that recognises what they achieved.
“In the long term you want something that says, ‘Look what was created in Scotland’. Are you really going to tell me we are going to have nothing to show at the end of it? This is why all of us who really want to drive this have g.ralston@dailyrecord.co.uk to come together to persuade the government and the LTA to come with us and deliver this plan.”
Murray joined forces with Tennis Scotland chief executive Blane Dodds at Cromlix House yesterday, just a few miles from the public courts where her sons were set on the course to stardom.
Their action plan will ask the government and LTA to act this year to support a plan for Scotland that includes Murray’s controversial community pay and play facility at Park of Keir on the outskirts of Dunblane.
She plans to develop a nationwide workforce of coaches and open up the land around it for easier public access to encourage family activities.
But campaigners says it will lead to the erosion of centuriesold greenbelt land and is a hotel and executive housing development in all but name.
Dodds added: “We have a £15million commitment from the LTA and sportscotland to provide more indoor facilities and later this year we’ll be opening our GB national academy in Stirling.
“Facilities are one thing but we must work more effectively to build a nationwide workforce to deliver on that commitment.”
Judy even played it for laughs when asked if Scotland could manufacture another Andy and she said: “Personally, no – it’s too late for me!”