Anyone for Tennis?

Having entered a Royal Bank of Scotland competition to say "why I enjoyed watching tennis" I was amazed to win and to be invited to London to attend a training session with Andy and Team Murray.  So Monday morning saw me nervously arrive at the Chiswick Racquet Club with my friend Jill (I'm the one in the red t-shirt), neither of us ever having played tennis before.

Our first task of the day was a session of short volleys across the net with the lovely Jamie Murray, the world's number 50 doubles player, followed by coaching on our serve from Judy Murray, mother of the Murray brothers.  Next we were put through our paces by the fitness coach and puffing and panting played a game of football tennis.  Each team was allowed up to three touches of the ball before it had to cross the net.  It sounds easy and team Murray make it look easy......to quote Jill, 'aye right!'

Moving towards the end of our session came the part we had been waiting for, a rally with the mighty Andy himself, Britain's tennis star and current world number 4.  The ball went back and forth and Andy even had to run to return it a couple of times.  Ok, maybe not run but a couple of steps to one side anyway!

The final test of the day, how would I fair against the 'Murray Serve'.  Would I like it backhand or forehand, so I took a deep breathe and plumped for forehand.  The ball came sailing over the net, hit the deck and promptly spun off to the right before I even had time to raise my racket.  Andy had politely asked if I was ready before he served and I had answered yes.  My response after the ball whistled past my right ear was 'maybe not then' which got the only smile of the day from the sombre tennis star.

Has the day with Team Murray inspired me to take up tennis?  Definitely maybe!

Gillian Dalgleish