JAMIE Murray's ascent to the summit of the doubles rankings becomes more remarkable when you consider the challenges he has had to overcome. As recently as two years ago, it was the strategy of the LTA under director of player development Bob Brett and chief executive Michael Downey to withdraw all support for doubles players.
They were sceptical about levels of interest in that form of the sport despite Louis Cayer, the expert Canadian doubles coach, having helped take this nation's players to some notable successes. He had helped Jamie Murray and Jonny Marray become Wimbledon champions in the mixed and men's disciplines respectively, coached Andy Murray and Laura Robson to an Olympic silver medal in the London Olympics and wielded an influence on the progress of other doubles experts like Colin Fleming, Ross Hutchins and Dom Inglot.
The LTA hierarchy, though, felt he was better served in their coach education wing, writing and delivering courses, a move which was only reversed when Leon Smith and Judy Murray persuaded them to let him get involved with their Davis and Fed Cup teams. Brett's sudden departure after last year's Wimbledon signalled a badly-needed change in approach, and one which has co-incided with Jamie's three back-to-back Grand Slam finals, his maiden win in Australia this year and his rise to the pinnacle of this form of the sport.
Yet while Cayer provides occasional support on the road and near Jamie's Wimbledon home, there are still challenges. The National Tennis Centre in Roehampton is now closed as a base to full-time players, meaning there is a lack of viable practice partners. Jamie has used the proceeds of his emergence as a top 10 doubles player to fund the recruitment of the highly-rated Alan MacDonald as a travelling coach/hitting partner under the guidance of Cayer, but for the elder Murray sibling it has been a tough road to the top of his chosen profession.
While there will be an emotional homecoming for Jamie in Dunblane on April 26 in the company of the Davis Cup, the famous old trophy which he and Andy helped win for Britain for the first time in 79 years kicks off its celebration tour in Glasgow's Buchanan Street this afternoon. In its presence, from 3pm will be Leon Smith, the Glasgow-born Davis Cup captain.
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