Funding boost opens doors for Thomson & Co
CONNOR THOMSON knew he’d never be the next Andy Robertson but now he dreams of following in the footsteps of Andy Murray.
The Scottish tennis star comes from an outstanding football pedigree – dad Malky was former assistant boss at Rangers and brother Callum signed for Manchester United.
However, Connor, 19, chose tennis over football as a kid, despite playing in the pro youth ranks for St Mirren.
His choice has been vindicated after appearances in the juniors at Wimbledon and the Australian Open as he enters into the second year of a tennis scholarship at the prestigious University of South Carolina.
He is also one of 11 Scottish players to benefit from a package of funding and support from Tennis Scotland as part of the newly launched national player programme.
They will have access to
BY GARY RALSTON training in conjunction with the University of Stirling and will receive sport science and medical support, as well as financial help towards coaching and competition costs.
Thomson, from Paisley, said: “Football was my sport initially and I played with St Mirren for a spell but I was a slow left-back.
“I moved to a new school and my mates were all members of the local tennis club and it got to the stage I was pretty good at both sports.
“I had a decision to make around the age of 12 and I picked what I enjoyed most – tennis.
“They always encouraged me with advice and support to play the sport that I enjoyed most and I would not have achieved anything without them. I reached the quarter-final in the junior boys’ doubles at Wimbledon last year with my partner Jacob Fearnley and I’ve also competed at the Australian Open.
“We’re privileged in Scottish tennis to have players such as Andy and Jamie Murray, Colin Fleming and Jonny O’Mara. I even trained with Jamie for a week in La Manga last year and learned so much.
“I really hope one day I could achieve what they did and maybe even surpass it in some cases.
“It would be great to look after my family and give something back after all they have done for me.”
Thomson has spent lockdown at home but will return to college in August, after a training camp later this month in Portugal.
He’s looking to build on the success of his first year at USC and reckons the new funding and support from Tennis Scotland will be a help to him and others, including Maia Lumsden, Gordon Reid and Aidan McHugh.
He added: “I’m on the right path just now – Jacob and I won 14 matches in a row on grass last season, including titles at Nottingham and Roehampton.
“I’ve worked hard to keep a structure together over lockdown and moving forward the support from Tennis Scotland will be invaluable.
“It’s a great time for the sport in this country, all on the back of the success of Andy and Jamie.”
Tennis Scotland chief Blane Dodds said: “We already have a number of athletes playing at the highest level and we have some very exciting young players aspiring to follow in the footsteps of Andy and Jamie.
“The national player programme has been designed specifically to help the best Scottish talent and we’re looking forward to helping them realise their potential.”