THE world’s most famous tennis mum yesterday launched an initiative which is aiming to transform the image of the sport.

Judy Murray was at one of the country’s poshest schools in her native Perthshire but organisers of the project she was backing, which is taking place at Strathallan this week, claim they are offering coaching and providing equipment and scholarships to youngsters who otherwise would not have the chance to take up tennis.

Perth-based Scottish Tennis Holidays operates out of Kinnoull Tennis Club and has attracted support from Cala Homes to back its initiative.

Murray, the mother of two Wimbledon champions, has been critical of the way the sport is promoted in the past while her older son Jamie has continued to be outspoken in expressing his concern about the danger of the opportunity presented by, in particular, his younger brother Andy’s exploits, being missed by the tennis authorities across the UK and in Scotland in particular.

Tennis suffers from the same issue that blights many sports other than football in being perceived as only for the middle classes with many administrators in denial about that when central to addressing it is recognising the problem in the first instance.

The Murrays have regularly done just that, however and, as she becomes increasingly involved in offering direction to the sport, Britain’s Fed Cup captain has made clear her determination to remain hands on.

"I'm all for getting involved with anything that helps get more children participating in tennis and this initiative is a great way of letting a local coach take tennis into a number of local schools that otherwise may not have had the chance to try the sport,” she said.

"I think there's a huge buzz about tennis in Scotland, and there has been for a number of years now, therefore there is a great opportunity for the sport to really capitalise on this interest and get a lot more people playing, not just kids – but adults as well.

"However, there needs to be more places to play and people to drive the activity as tennis has been more often found in places where perhaps it's easier for those who have money to be able to participate.”

Murray acknowledged that cost is a significant deterrent to many youngsters.

"I think it's extremely important to have schools encouraging mini-tennis and public-park courts where kids can try the sport, without it costing very much," she said.

Jane Morrison, a senior coach at Kinnoull Tennis Club, expressed confidence that the platform has provided for the scheme to thrive, explaining that they are “now able to fund tennis coaching for various schools in their area while also supplying the necessary kit.

“We will be following up all of our coaching plans with a big tennis festival involving all the schools,” she said.

“We are aiming to bring the local sporting community together in the area and think this is a great way to do that, while also promoting healthy competition between all the budding tennis players.”