Tennis in Scotland to receive £5.8m over four years
Tennis in Scotland is to benefit from a £5.8m injection of public money to improve facilities.
The Scottish government's national agency for sport, sportscotland, and Tennis Scotland have announced the four year investment.
Some of the money will go to recruiting local development officers who will encourage more people to get involved in the sport.
A further chunk of cash will be used to upgrade facilities in public parks.
The investment comes just days after Dunblane-born Murray won Wimbledon in a straight sets victory against Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 6-4.
The 26-year-old is the first British men's final winner since Fred Perry in 1936.
Speaking at the Gannochy National Tennis Centre at the University of Stirling, Sports Minister Shona Robison said: "Andy's win was an emotional moment for Scotland and the whole country has been inspired by his brilliant performance.
"We want to see more people playing tennis and having access to top quality facilities to get fit, try something new, and have fun.
"This money is all about making sure the right facilities are there to help people get more active, as well as helping to create the tennis stars of the future to keep those Wimbledon wins coming."
Stewart Harris, chief executive of sportscotland, added that the Murray victory was a "defining moment for Scottish sport".
He added: "It's important that we take this unique chance to help grow the game in Scotland by providing more and better opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to play, and to assist the young players of today to emulate their hero from Dunblane by becoming the stars of tomorrow."
The investments include;
- £1m will go into community tennis projects to help clubs ensure they have the capacity to deal with rising membership numbers
- £1m will support local authorities to upgrade facilities set in public parks and open spaces, providing facilities that are both accessible and affordable to encourage more people to take up tennis.
- £2m to support the development of up to four indoor tennis centres in local authority areas where there is demand.
- Up to £1.8m investment to Tennis Scotland.