National Tennis Centre’s operations moving to county

THE National Tennis Centre in Stirling is being closed with its academy operations being moved to Loughborough.

The Lawn Tennis Association opened its Stirling academy in 2019 following the success of Andy and Jamie Murray, pictured, who have 10 Grand Slam titles between them.

Only one Scot has been involved in the Player Pathway programme and the LTA said savings made from the site’s closure in 2024 will allow it to invest in increasing that number.

All operations will then be centralised at Loughborough, where the LTA’s other national academy is currently based.

A Tennis Scotland spokesman said: “We are in an ongoing dialogue with the LTA to deliver an enhanced performance strategy and pathway for Scottish tennis talent.

When the Stirling academy was launched three years ago, Tennis Scotland chief executive

Blane Dodds said it could provide “a pathway for champions”. Brazilian Leonardo Azevedo was recruited to lead the coaching team, alongside Scots Colin Fleming and Leon Smith, but its closure is another blow for Tennis

Scotland, with the governing body struggling to meet its target of doubling the number of indoor courts in Scotland from 112 to 225.

The LTA said in a statement: “The LTA has been reviewing its Player Pathway for the most talented 14 to 18-year-old players to progress towards becoming professional players.

“We will work on plans for a single national academy operated by Loughborough University with Nottingham Tennis Centre facilities as a supporting hub – as a result, the Stirling national academy will close after 2024.”