Matthew picked for elite Academy
EDINBURGH tennis protege Matthew Rankin has been selected as one of eight young hopefuls from across the UK in the first intake of talent at the Stirling University-based GB National Tennis Academy.
Rankin, 14, is the only Scot in the group that will be first to sample the groundbreaking academy set up by the LTA to nurture the next generation of British elite players.
Tennis Scotland will operate the academy in conjunction with Dollar Academy, where Rankin and his fellow players will combine their studies in conjunction with coaching from Academy head coach, Leo Azevedo, who worked with former world No.1 Juan Carlos Ferrero and spent eight years as an Academy and head coach at the US Tennis Association.
The Brazilian said: “Bringing the best young players together creates a winning environment.
“They push each other, they motivate each other and importantly they create a culture for others to aspire to.”