Glasgow Challenger Renamed To Honour Murray Family
Glasgow Challenger Renamed To Honour Murray Family
In 2018, the ATP Challenger Tour returned to Scotland with a new tournament in its largest city of Glasgow. On Friday, it was announced that the event would have a new name: the Murray Trophy.
With an emphasis on growing the game at the Challenger level, developing new talent in Great Britain and building on the Murray family legacy, the tournament will welcome a second edition in September. Held on the indoor hard courts of the Scotstoun Sports Campus, the event will feature Jamie Murray as tournament ambassador.
The LTA recently announced a collaboration with the former doubles No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion. Murray’s years of experience on the professional circuit will play a critical role in providing both players and fans with a world-class week of tennis in Glasgow. The British faithful will also get the opportunity to see Murray in action, with the Dunblane native committing to compete in the doubles draw.
“I’m excited to be working with the LTA and Glasgow Life on this event and honoured to have it named in recognition of my family’s achievements in the sport,” said Murray. “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.”
The tournament is part of an expanding calendar of Challenger events in Great Britain, in addition to the well-established grass-court stops in Surbiton, Nottingham and Ilkley in June. In 2018, Glasgow saw almost 3,200 fans catch the action in its debut. This year, the tournament – held from 16-22 September – hopes to grow even further.
“Last year’s inaugural event was a fantastic success with over three thousand fans coming along to support all the British and international players,” Murray continued. “We hope to make this year’s tournament more successful, providing a platform to inspire more young people in Scotland to take up our sport. I look forward to seeing everyone again in September.”
A message to you from @jamie_murray on the newly named Murray Trophy – Glasgow ? pic.twitter.com/DB3E670pmK
— LTA (@the_LTA) May 3, 2019