Andy and Jamie Murray confirm doubles team up at the ‘Battle of Brits’ in potential last match in front of the home fans
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Jamie Murray and Andy Murray
Jamie Murray and Andy Murray have been long been the flagbearers of British tennis. The two Scots revived British tennis in the late 2000s and majorly during the decade of 2010. While Jamie was more successful in doubles, younger brother Andy reached the pinnacle of success in singles.
Jamie won 2 Grand Slams, the 2016 Australian Open and the 2016 US Open titles. He partnered Brazil’s Bruno Soares on both occasions. He also reached the World No. 1 rank in Doubles in April 2016. The season was very good for the Murray brothers as Andy won the Wimbledon that year, his second at the All-England Club and third career major. Andy also went on to become World No. 1 for the first time in 2016.
Having achieved global stardom, the Murray’s plan to return some favor towards Scotland. The Battle of the Brits is the brainchild of Jamie where Team Scotland takes on Team England in exhibition matches in the off-season. The event is set to bring tennis coverage to Scotland in order to boost the infrastructure in the country and nurture more players.
“We always represent Great Britain, so it’s nice to be able to represent Scotland. Scotland versus England is one of the oldest rivalries ever. We don’t have a national championships in the UK. So this was a way for the players to have something to prepare for and compete and stay sharp.
“We wanted to put on major tennis events in our country. We don’t have anything in Scotland, so this is a way to grow the sport. We want to thank fans for all the support they’ve given us,” said Jamie speaking to Joel Drucker for Tennis.com.
Jamie Murray thanks his mother and coach Judy Murray for all his success
With Scotland not having enough opportunities for tennis back when Jamie and Andy were small, they had to leave home early. While Jamie did stay in the UK, Andy moved to Spain in his mid-teens. With the ‘Battle of the Brits’, Jamie hopes to improve things back home but not before forgetting to thank mother Judy Murray.
“It’s a pretty crazy story. Scotland had no tennis tradition or heritage. We grew up in a town of 6-7,000 people, maybe even less. We were incredibly fortunate to have a mum who was an amazing tennis coach. And to have a family around us who made so many sacrifices, driving us all over the country to play tennis,” added Jamie, a 5-time Grand Slam winner in Mixed-Doubles, further.
The star-studded event will feature, Jamie, Andy, Aidan McHugh, and Jonny O’Mara for Team Scotland. As for Team England, Dan Evans, Jack Draper, Paul Jubb, Joe Salisbury, and Neal Skupski will pick up the rackets. Six matches will be played at the event that’s scheduled on the 21st and 22nd of December in Aberdeen.
Day one will see only two singles matches being played. On Day two, in the afternoon session, a doubles and a singles match is scheduled. The evening session will see a singles match before the Murray brothers take on the pair of Salisbury and Skupski to conclude the event.
With both Andy and Jamie getting closer to their retirement, it could be the last time the two play together in Scotland as active players. While it will certainly be a crowd-puller, the lineup gives further optimism about the level of tennis that will be on display.
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)