Brodies Champions of Tennis.Launch

 

Local school children were today showing off their new-found racquet skills to former US Open and Wimbledon finalist, Mark Philippoussis, and previous Queen’s Club champion, Wayne Ferreira.

The Primary 4 children from Flora Stevenson, Stockbridge, Granton and Ferryhill Primary Schools have been enjoying tennis taster sessions over the past four weeks, culminating in today’s ‘Festival of Tennis’ at Inverleith Park.

The event, organised by the Council’s Active Schools programme and delivered by Edinburgh Leisure and TennisScotland, also marked the beginning of the Brodies Champions of Tennis tournament, which runs from today until 23 June at Raeburn Place.

Philippoussis and Ferreira are part of an all-star line-up that also includes John McEnroe, Tim Henman and Goran Ivanisevic. There are still limited tickets available from the official website.

Cllr Richard Lewis, Culture & Sport Convener, said:- “With Andy Murray’s hard-fought victory at Queen’s Club at the weekend and Wimbledon 2013 about to get underway, this is the perfect time for us to be hosting a major tennis event here in Edinburgh – particularly one featuring the likes of John McEnroe and Tim Henman.

“It is important that we capitalise on this excitement and encourage Edinburgh residents, particularly young people, to dust off their racquet or try tennis for the first time and I am delighted that these taster sessions have been such a success.

“The children were thrilled to meet Mark and Wayne today and I am sure they have inspired them to continue playing tennis well beyond Wimbledon fortnight.”

Tournament Director Viki Mendelssohn added: “I am delighted to be supporting local schools via Brodies Champions of Tennis.”

The Edinburgh Reporter will be bringing you match reports and photographs from Raeburn Place over the next three days.

Brodies Champions of Tennis.Launch

 

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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.