Courting attention of a great: when Harris met Andy
13/11/2012, TSPL, Scotsman, US Open and Olympic Gold medalist Andy Murray gives a coaching class with his Mother Judy Murray at the Craiglockhart Tennis Centre, Edinburgh. Picture Ian Rutherford
HAWICK tennis ace Harris Brogan got to rub shoulders with Olympic and US Open champion Andy Murray recently.
The Trinity Primary School pupil was taking part in ‘Set 4 Sport’, a range of activities devised by Andy’s mother Judy to help tetach kids sporting skills, at Craiglockhart in Edinburgh.
And meeting his tennis hero was an experience he will never forget.
Harris told the Hawick News: “I had never met a famous tennis player before and I was very excited because Andy Murray is world class.
“He watched me playing and then came over to speak to me. I was really chuffed, it was a great thrill.”
The ten-year-old, who has been playing the sport for the last four years, receives tennis tuition twice-a-week at the high school under the watchful eye of coach Lesley Thomas.
It is a sport he has made great strides in but one he came into by sheer chance.
Dad Eddie explained: “Harris was bothered greatly with the skin condition eczema and because of this he couldn’t stop scratching.
“However, his granddad Jim Domingo gave him a tennis racquet and started throwing a ball to him and Harris would hit it back.
“He would use both hands to hold the racquet and this would stop him scratching and that’s how it all began.”
Harris has since blossomed into a real prospect. In his respective age group he has been more than holding his own in top competitions as far afield as Essex, Sussex, Nottingham and Bolton.
Talking of his travelling, Harris said: “My dad takes me to most places and although it might take a long time to go there and back I don’t mind as I just enjoy playing.
“It’s always good fun and I’ve made a lot of good friends.”
As well as his coaching at the high school, Harris, who is a member of the Wilton Park club, also travels to Edinburgh on Tuesday and Friday nights for further expert guidance.
“I get away early from school on a Friday and it’s really good of them to let me do this,” he said. “Lesley is my coach in Hawick and Ross Murray and Mhairi Brown are my coaches in Edinburgh. They’re all great.”
Meeting Murray has certainly been the icing on the cake for young Harris and his tennis career so far.
And with his natural ability, flair and determination, he’ll be looking to follow his fellow countryman to the very top.
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Sunday 19 May 2013
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