Andy Murray announces charity tennis event in Glasgow

Andy Murray is to host an annual tennis event in Glasgow to raise money for charity.

The first "Andy Murray Live'' will be staged at the SSE Hydro on Wednesday September 21 with all profits split between Unicef and Glasgow charity Young People's Futures.

The event will see the 2013 Wimbledon champion take on French player Gael Monfils, before he teams up with brother Jamie to play a doubles match against Monfils and former British number one Tim Henman.

The set-up is said to be Murray's idea and the world number two is looking forward to playing in front of a home crowd.

He said: " travel the world playing tennis and unfortunately I don't spend as much time as I would like to at home.

"I owe it to my fans who have supported me throughout the years and what better way than to play in front of them at The SSE Hydro whilst raising money for Young People's Futures and Unicef.

"I'm looking forward to bringing top-level tennis to Glasgow on an annual basis and making this event bigger and better every year.''

Murray has played in Davis Cup matches in Glasgow but it will be the first tennis event staged in the 14,000-capacity Hydro.

The tennis star is a UK ambassador for Unicef and raised thousands of pounds last year for Syrian refugees by donating £50 for every ace he hit in competition.

Young People's Futures (YPF) works with hundreds of children and young people aged between five and 18 in the north of Glasgow who live in households with addiction or mental and physical health problems.

Project manager Ann Lawrance said staff are "pinching themselves'' after the charity was chosen by Murray to benefit from the event.

"Young People's Futures are overwhelmed and so thankful to Andy Murray for choosing our project from many Scottish charities,'' Ms Lawrance said.

"Our team are so excited to be linked to the UK's top sportsman and world number two. We are pinching ourselves at the thought of this opportunity.

"We can't thank Andy enough for his support and look forward to what could be a life changing prospect for YPF and the Possilpark community.''

Lily Caprani, Unicef UK's deputy executive director, said: "Andy has provided vital support for Unicef's work for children for a number of years, most recently raising awareness and much-needed funds for children affected by the Syrian conflict through his campaign Andy's Aces.

"We are very proud to announce that Andy has been appointed a Unicef UK Ambassador and this latest initiative is an example of his continued commitment to help children in danger.

"The money raised through 'Andy Murray Live' will help us provide life-saving food, clean water, vaccines and healthcare for children in emergencies, as well as education and protection from violence, exploitation and abuse.''

Tickets are on sale from Friday priced between £22.70 and £113.50.

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