Scots quartet to join the champs tour in Gleneagles

Four of Scotland’s most promising young tennis players are getting the chance to compete alongside some of the sport’s greats in Gleneagles later this month.

Teenagers Rosie Stark, Lucia Rizza, Jacob Fearnley and Connor Thomson have been invited to play doubles and mixed doubles matches at the Brodies Invitational – the only Scottish fixture on the prestigious ATP Champions Tour – on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 June.

Former British No 1 Tim Henman, ex-world No 1 Thomas Muster, Mark Philippoussis, the former world No 8, French Open finalist Henri Leconte, former World No 19 Xavier Malisse and eight-time ATP World Tour doubles champion Colin Fleming are among the players already confirmed for the event at Gleneagles Hotel in Auchterarder.

Stark, a 14-year-old Wallace High School pupil, and 15-year-old Rizza of Firrhill High are the Scottish indoor doubles champions. Fearnley, 16, attends Merchiston Castle School and is ranked No 4 in the United Kingdom at under-18 level, while 17-year-old Beaconhurst pupil Thomson is ranked No 9 in the U18 standings.

“The depth of junior tennis talent in Scotland is going from strength to strength. It’s a very exciting time for our sport,” said Fleming, the national coach for Tennis Scotland.

“The Brodies Invitational offers our up-and-coming players a valuable opportunity to play in front of a large home crowd. Being part of the ATP Champions Tour, it is also a great way to experience the atmosphere of major tennis events.

“It’s the perfect preparation for Jacob and Connor as they hope to head for Junior Wimbledon [Fearnley and Thomson are both hoping to gain wildcards for SW19 next month].”

Tickets for the Brodies Tennis Invitational are available to book now, priced at £39.50 for adults and £20 for children. Other ticket options, including family and weekend tickets, are also on the website, brodiesinvitational.com.