Tennis legend Sir Andy Murray has turned down lucrative offers to open academies abroad so he could instead focus his efforts teaching rising talent in Scotland.
Sir Andy has been approached by those in China and the Middle East wanting him to lend his name to teaching centres, but the 37-year-old wants to nurture those in his hometown of Dunblane.
Speculation surrounding the future of Britain’s most successful tennis player of the modern era is mounting ahead of his retirement from the game following the Paris Olympics.
Many former professionals transition into broadcasting – offering their unique insight on the game during major competitions as pundits and commentators.
But mother Judy Murray, 64, revealed that her son was keen to return regularly to Dunblane with tennis player brother Jamie to share his skills with young players.
Tennis legend Andy Murray and his wife Kim Sears enjoying a day at the races
Murray kisses the Wimbledon trophy after winning the championship in 2013
Ms Murray told The Sunday Times: ‘We have had offers from other countries to open an Andy Murray tennis academy.
‘But for us it will always be about Scotland and our backyard. We want to give back to the game that has given us all so much.
‘None of us have ever wavered from the position that we want to do this in our home country.’
Ms Murray, the former Scottish national coach, said her son had spurned offers to lend his name to tennis centres in the United Arab Emirates, China and South America.
The family plan to open a multi-million pound tennis and sporting centre which would provide grassroots facilities and employ a network of coaches in Park of Keir, Stirlingshire.
Having already secured outline planning permission, Ms Murray said she would join her tennis player sons in helping to develop new homegrown talent.
She added: ‘Andy is coming to the end of his career and Jamie won’t play for too much longer either.
‘The three of us want to be able to share what we know, and what we did, with the next generation of players and coaches.
‘When the boys are finished with their playing days they will have a lot more time to come to Scotland.
‘We all want to give the country a centre of national significance for tennis and other sports and the time is now.
Murray in action during a doubles match at this year’s Wimbledon
Murray and his brother Jamie showed an early appreciation of the game
Murray’s mother Judy is already a successful tennis coach
‘I keep hearing: “Oh, they’ll never produce another Andy Murray.” Why not?
‘I have a huge amount of experience to share and I can’t take it with me.
‘Andy and Jamie are not fussed about statues or anything like that. It’s the tennis itself that they are passionate about.’
Sir Andy, a vocal champion of women’s rights, has previously turned down millions to play in Saudi Arabia at the same time as many other sports stars have embraced the controversial Kingdom in exchange for large pay packets.
The Scottish sports star said last year: ‘I wouldn’t play in Saudi Arabia.’
Sir Andy, who married wife Kim Sears at Dunblane Cathedral in April 2015, is set to make his fifth Olympic appearance after being named as part of Great Britain’s squad.
It is expected to be his last outing as a professional player, with the Scot having just competed in his final Wimbledon this month.
The father-of-four said of his future: ‘I plan to spend a lot more time in Scotland when I finish playing and I’m sure Jamie will do the same.
‘We are both really keen to inspire the next generation of Scottish tennis players and coaches so we will be regular visitors to Park of Keir.’
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