Serving-up some sporting legends
Henman leads team of stars to Gleneagles event
Tennis legends will descend on Perthshire in the summer for a two-day sporting extravaganza.
And, this year, the Brodies Invitational at Gleneagles – held on June 16 and 17 – will be part of the prestigious ATP Champions Tour for the first time.
Jointly hosted by Brodies LLP and Gleneagles Hotel, established stars of the game will share the court with Scotland’s most promising junior players, helping to raise money for Maggie’s cancer care centres and Cancer Research UK at the same time.
Among those showing off their skills at the tournament, which is supported by Tennis Scotland, will be former British No.1 Tim Henman, former world No.1 Mats Wilander, former world No.4 Thomas Enqvist – the reigning Brodies Invitational champion – onetime world No.19 Xavier Malisse, and Colin Fleming, a former Wimbledon quarterfinalist and current Scotland national coach.
Former Wimbledon favourite Henman (42) said: “I’m really looking forward to competing in the Brodies Invitational again, helping to build on the success of last year’s hugely-popular tournament and putting Scotland firmly on the map as a venue for world-class tennis.
“We’ve got a great line-up of players again this year at Gleneagles who will showcase a highly-entertaining mix of skills and competitive tennis Tim Henman will be in Perthshire that is sure to appeal to sports fans of all ages.”
Established in 1997, the ATP Champions Tour spans the globe with former champions competing in tournaments in cities including London, Mexico City, Seoul, Stockholm and Palma de Mallorca.
Tour CEO Jan Felgate said: “We are delighted to welcome the Brodies Invitational into the family of the ATP Champions Tour.
“The tour is about legendary players in iconic locations, and this event at Gleneagles captures the essence and vision of the tour. We look forward to many great events here.”
In addition to the main action, the tournament will also feature a family fun tennis session hosted by former Fed Cup Captain Judy Murray as part of her ‘Tennis on the Road’ programme.
Judy said: “I’m delighted to be involved with the Brodies Invitational tournament again.
“It’s great to have top-class tennis in Scotland and last year’s event was exciting, fun and very popular with the crowd.
“It is a chance to see some of the world’s legends in action, to showcase Scotland’s best young prospects and to give many parents and children the chance to try tennis through my fun family event. I’m looking forward to being part of it again this year.”
Brodies’ managing partner Bill Drummond said: “The Brodies Invitational at Gleneagles is once again giving tennis fans, business people and budding players an opportunity to get together and enjoy watching stars of the game compete in a world-class setting.
“We’re hoping to build on the considerable success of last year’s tournament with the addition of our event to the ATP Champions Tour, which will add an extra competitive edge.”
Tennis Scotland chief executive Pete Nicolson added: “The profile of tennis in Scotland is currently at an all-time high and Brodies Invitational at Gleneagles will be a great opportunity to show off the young talent that we have here and encourage others to take up the sport.
“This year I’m particularly looking forward to seeing some of our nation’s top juniors test their skills against players who were world-class at their peak.”
The event is also being supported by Brewin Dolphin, Wilson and full-service marketing agency The Gate.
The number of tickets has been increased to almost 1000 across both days.
‘Early bird’ ticket holders will be given the opportunity to enter a draw for one adult and one child to take part in the Judy Murray family fun tennis session involving the legends on the Saturday morning. In total, up to 32 children and 32 adults will be able to take part.
See www. brodiesinvitational.com.
It’s great to have top-class tennis in Scotland and last year’s event was exciting