WHAT a fantastic sporting performance by Andy Murray – truly epic and game-changing ("Murray, the history man", The Herald, July 8).

While Scotland's First Minister was able to bask in the reflected glory of this inspiring result, one wonders whether more could be done by the Scottish Government to embed the long-term legacy of this momentous achievement?

Scotland is still in the dark ages as far as the provision of high-quality public tennis facilities is concerned.

In North Lanarkshire, for example, there are fewer than 10 public tennis courts. As for the provision of high-quality indoor facilities necessary to develop future champions, the picture throughout Scotland is even bleaker.

As well as congratulating Andy Murray on his achievement, now is the time for the First Minister to show real leadership and commit the necessary investment in new and improved facilities to ensure it is not another 117 years until Scotland can boast of having the Men's Singles Champion at Wimbledon.

Graham Watson,

77 High Street,

Earlsferry,

Fife.

WHILE celebrating the triumph of Andy Murray, let's recall the last British champion, Fred Perry in 1936. To emulate Perry, Andy will not only have to win the title three times in succession but also win world championship medals at table tennis.

Perry's father, Samuel, worked in a cotton factory but later became national secretary of the Co-op Party. For a short period he was a Labour MP. Fred Perry's working-class background was looked down upon by the Wimbledon elite and he left to become a professional in the United States. It was not until 1984 that his statue was erected at Wimbledon.

It is odd that now Wimbledon embraces a great player from an ordinary background like Murray while the Labour Party is dominated by those from private schools and Oxbridge rather than those from working-class backgrounds like Perry's father.

Bob Holman,

76 Balgonie Road, Glasgow.

This weekend's wonderful and historic British sports achievements serve so many in our unique United Kingdom so well on any number of fronts.

As a passionate Scot and proud Brit, I was so delighted with the British Lions' series win in Sydney. The Scots, rightly, had minimal representation in the squad but were able to share in the collective joy of a historic Lions victory. Scotland will benefit and improve from our presence on this tour, with players returning to their clubs and sharing the success.

We had the unique pleasure of witnessing a Scot and a Brit creating history and winning the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, under pressure that ordinary souls could not begin to contemplate.

As Scots, we were peripheral in the rugby but were centre stage in the tennis. On both occasions we were winners and on Sunday it was a delight seeing the whole of Great Britain rejoice in a Brit winning, for the whole-family fellowship that is the United Kingdom.

Unlike the humble and graceful Novak Djokovic, Alex Salmond in the Royal Box served only to underline his lack of dignity in trying to get air time waving the Scottish flag.

As Scots and Brits, we share and benefit from each other's success. Why would either of us wish to give up on two plus two equalling five?

Jimmy Armstrong,

Craigard Cottage,

3a Abergeldie Road,

Ballater.

CAN anyone remember the Monty Python sketch from the 1960s which featured a Wimbledon final where a Scotsman was soundly thrashed by a blancmange? Well, whaur's yer blancmange noo?

Rees Anderson,

39 Borthwick Drive,

East Kilbride.

I AGREE with every word of your editorial ("Murray smashes all the doubts", The Herald, July 8). While it is absolutely right to praise Andy Murray as one of "the world's greatest tennis players, a supreme athlete and a great Scot", what is even more important is the example this unassuming young Scot is to other young people the world over, of never giving up on your dream, staying loyal to your roots and those who have supported you, and to be gracious whether in victory or defeat.

And Novak Djokovic, ranked by many professionals as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, and a member of Champions for Peace, a club which promotes sport as a means of fostering peace throughout the world, fully deserved the praise Alex Salmond awarded him immediately after the match for his dignified sportsmanship.

Scotland and Serbia can be proud that the future of world tennis is in such safe hands.

Ruth Marr,

99 Grampian Road,

Stirling.

THE whole nation rejoiced at Andy Murray's success in the Wimbledon championships; Great Britain at its best.

I was, however, astonished when the TV cameras homed in on David Cameron, our Prime Minister, obviously jubilant about Murray's success, and found Alex Salmond waving an enormous St Andrew's cross two rows behind the Prime Minister.

The SNP may try to cash in on just about anything to further its cause, but how dare it try to convince us that Andy Murray's success in tennis is anything to do with it?

Murray's initial grounding in tennis may well have been on the courts in his home town of Dunblane, but his career has been developed in other parts of the world. Why must the Nationalists always try to capitalise on anything which may help to further their cause? The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is very important to the majority of us living on these islands. It is in the interests of all of us to stick together.

Robert I G Scott,

Northfield Cottage,

Ceres.

IT'S rather sad, but predictable, that some have sought to find fault at Scotland's First Minister waving the national flag of Scotland in the Royal Box at Wimbledon. Why shouldn't he? It was being waved all over Scotland and beyond and the images are all over the web. Andy Murray is a very proud Scot, as is the First Minister.

Surely those critics should be more concerned with why the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, otherwise known as the All England Club, is not called the All Britain Club or the All UK Club which would go some way towards embracing the people of Scotland?

The All England Club is a private members club with fewer than 400 full members, with a few hundred more being temporary playing members, honorary members and former Wimbledon champions. It banned black people until 1951 and Jewish people until 1952 and children are still not allowed in. Angela Buxton, a Jewish British player who won the 1956 Wimbledon doubles title was never granted membership despite applying in the 1950s.

It seems to me that those critics of such displays of Scottishness at Wimbledon are somewhat politically motivated or jealous, or both.

James McElhill,

50/4 Craigielea Road,

Duntocher,

Clydebank.

THE Herald carries a picture of David Cameron and Alex Salmond cheering on Andy Murray (July 8). The words "better together" spring to mind.

Joy D F Williamson,

49 Pinnaclehill Park, Kelso.

AFTER Andy Murray's magnificent Wimbledon win I was appalled to see the First Minister, Alex Salmond, attempt to hoist a large Saltire in the Royal Box.

Has he no manners? What an appalling breach of protocol – thank goodness the television director cut away from him immediately he saw what was happening.

Celia Judge,

Finnick Glen, Ayr.