Tennis Scotland Vlogs Launch
• 4 MINUTE READ
Game, set and… action: Scotland’s new generation of tennis players to star in behind-the-scenes video series.
Some of Scotland’s top tennis talents have teamed-up to star in Between the Lines, a YouTube series launched by governing body Tennis Scotland that will follow the players’ lives on the gruelling tennis tour as they attempt to reach the top.
The series will give an insight into the lives of the National Player Programme squad as they travel the world to realise their ambitions; from multiple Grand Slam champion Gordon Reid to rising stars Ali Collins, Connor Thomson and Jacob Fearnley, and doubles specialist Jonny O’Mara.
Unprecedented Access to Training
For the first time, the players will give unprecedented access to training, travel and tournament life, bringing their personalities and preparations to a new tennis audience on their road to the top.
Episode one launches on Thursday and will reveal life inside the Australian Open bubble as last year’s doubles quarter-finalist, Jonny O’Mara, prepares for the opening Grand Slam of 2021.
Jonny O’Mara said: “Everyone on the National Player Programme is excited about taking part in Between the Lines and providing some insight into their own tennis journey.
“I’m very fortunate to be preparing for the first Grand Slam of the year in what are really challenging circumstances but it’s an honour to be first up with an insight into quarantine life ahead of the Australian Open.”
Bland Dodds Tennis Scotland CEO
Blane Dodds, Tennis Scotland Chief Executive, added: “Between the Lines gives our National Player Programme players the opportunity to share their journey in an attempting to become successful tennis professionals.
“With some on scholarship in the US, others home-based or on the pro tour, they are all at different stages of that journey and in the digital age, it’s important we provide a platform that allows them to get their individual personalities across, and a series where people can see up close the dedication and commitment from these players
“We want to give tennis fans, sports fans and the YouTube generation opportunities to follow these careers, to support them on the way and, hopefully, share in their future successes.
“The players themselves were up for the series right away and we all are looking forward to this opportunity developing as we watch their progress.”
Where To Watch
Fans can tune-in to Tennis Scotland’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels this week for previews ahead of the official launch.
The first episode will drop on YouTube, Facebook and IGTV on Thursday at 6pm with new episodes scheduled to be released every fortnight!
Tennis Scotland National Player Programme participants:
Ali Collins
From Dunblane, Ali is a former Junior Grand Slam player and the current Scottish number 2 women’s tennis player. The 20-year-old is currently trying to make her mark on the ITF tour and has one ITF doubles title.
Jacob Fearnley
A boys’ doubles juniors quarter-finalist at Wimbledon in 2019 with fellow National Player Programme participant Connor Thomson and is now undertaking a tennis scholarship at TCU, Texas in the USA.
Ben Hudson
15-year-old from Dundee won an 16U Grade 2 event in Bolton last year and is the former 14U British number 1.
Maia Lumsden
Scotland’s number-one ranked women’s tennis player with three singles ITF titles and three doubles ITF titles to her name. Aged 23, Maia has played at all the junior Grand Slams, including four times at Wimbledon, and four times in senior qualifying.
Sam Macleod
Talented 18-year-old from Glasgow who is undertaking a sports scholarship at Mercer University in Georgia, USA.
Aidan McHugh
A 20-year-old tennis professional from Glasgow who is currently taking part in the ITF men’s world tennis tour.
Charlie Miller
From Glasgow, the former Scottish number 1 junior is undertaking a sports scholarship at the University of Denver, USA.
Jonny O’Mara
Hailing from Arbroath, Jonny has played in all four of the Grand Slam events, reaching the quarter-finals of the men’s doubles event at the Australian Open in 2020.
Gordon Reid
Two-times wheelchair singles Grand Slam champion and Paralympic singles gold medallist, Gordon is one of the most successful players in Scottish tennis history.
Connor Thomson
Featured in the quarter-finals of the boys’ doubles juniors at Wimbledon with fellow National Player Programme participant Jacob Fearnley in 2019 and is now undertaking a tennis scholarship at the University of South Carolina in the USA.
More information about Tennis Scotland’s National Player Programme can be found here.
