Andy Murray and Jamie Murray get a tribute after the ATP Challenger in Glasglow renamed after them. The event taking place in September will be called the Murray Trophy. Jamie Murray is expected to play the doubles event at the so-called Murray Trophy.
Relations between the Murray family and the governing body of tennis in Great Britain has not been so pleasant. The situation got worse when an LTA relaunch neglected the Murray brothers and mother Judy, despite including many Great Britain players.
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While the Chief Executive of the LTA, Scott Lloyd denied the allegations of deliberately excluding the Murray family. He added, “It wasn’t any kind of snub to the Murrays,’ he insisted. ‘The most important thing is we do everything we can to invest our funds in the right places to capitalize on the era Andy and Jamie have contributed to in terms of inspiring tennis fans.”
Earlier this year, Andy Murray had criticized the British Tennis for failing to convert his achievements into the growth of new players from Britain.
However, the move from LTA seems to be in the right direction to bridge the gap between the Murray family and the governing body.
Jamie Murray said in a statement, “I’m excited to be working with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and Glasgow Life on this event and honored to have it named in recognition of my family’s achievements in the sport.”
“I really hope we can use the Murray Trophy – Glasgow to increase awareness of tennis and create opportunities for more boys and girls to play both in Scotland and Britain as a whole, “ added the six-time grand slam doubles champion.
Scott Llyod was also delighted to give a tribute to the Murray family who has given so much to the sport and their country. He said, “It’s fantastic to be able to bring world-class tennis back to Scotland and I’m delighted we are naming this event the Murray Trophy – Glasgow in tribute to the Murray family’s contribution to the game.“
“We want to open tennis up to as many people across the country as we can and I hope events like this will enable tennis champions of the future to experience the thrill of live tennis and get out on a tennis court, ” added the Chief Executive of LTA.
Andy Murray and Jamie Murray have helped Great Britain to win the 2015 Davis Cup, winning the title for the first time in 79 years. The two have won nine grand slam titles between them. Judy Murray – mother of Jamie and Andy Murray was a former Great Britain Fed Cup captain and currently working as a tennis coach.
