| Courts across the city have been packed full of budding players in recent days, as Murray’s Wimbledon heroics have seized the imagination of the public.
However, those reliant on municipal facilities have found it difficult to emulate the Dunblane man’s free-flowing strokes, due to uneven surfaces, tattered nets and a general state of disrepair.
One tennis lover told the Tele he went for a game at the courts by Fairmuir Park, to find the conditions were a long way from centre court.
“The surface is completely rippled — it was like trying to play tennis in an abandoned car park,” he said.
However, a spokesman for Dundee City Council said the authority had no plans to improve the courts’ condition.
“We’re aware of interest generated in tennis by Wimbledon and Andy Murray’s success so far, and we are trying to make the courts as playable as possible,” he said. “There is usually little demand for the courts outwith the Wimbledon period, and although we will monitor their use, there are no current plans for any work.”
Labour group spokesman on leisure, Richard McCready, said it was vital the local authority worked with local tennis clubs and other sports authorities to help local talent thrive.
"When I was the convener we did look at what we could do to increase tennis provision,” he said.
“In terms of public parks they are generally open access — this is good for giving everyone the chance to play, but makes maintaining the courts difficult
“What I think the city council needs to do is look at how it promotes tennis through schools, how it involves the private tennis clubs and how it involves the tennis authorities.
“Clearly everybody is delighted at the success Andy Murray has had, and let’s hope he goes on to win Wimbledon this year.
“That is going to encourage people to take up the sport, and we need to take advantage of that.”
An audit on the condition and future potential of the tennis courts in Dundee’s parks was put before councillors in 2004, on the back of increased interest sparked by Tim Henman’s 2003 Wimbledon run.
This saw a range of minor improvements made to the courts, but no major renovations.
It was suggested a year-round facility that would include an all-weather surface should be built, but this has not happened to date. |
