JUDY Murray has said she fears Andy Murray's legacy in Scottish sport will only be appreciated after he retires amid criticism of her plans for a "tennis and golf destination".

The mum-of-two, who raised Andy, 34, and Jamie, 35, to become tennis world champions believes their impact will only be understood in years to come. 

It comes as she is backing a centre of 'national significance' near Dunblane, a plan that has been met with some hostility and referred to as a "vanity project". 

Insisting the plans are community orientated, Judy said: "We have nothing to show for what Andy and Jamie have done. 

"Why shouldn't we have opportunities in Scotland the same as other countries do? 

"Why is there nothing and why has this been such a struggle? 

"If I don't do this, what will we end up with?

"Nothing.

"The boys have created this incredible shop window for tennis ins Scotland. 

"There is a monster fan base and an opportunity to grow the game. 

"We should absolutely be jumping all over this and using that opportunity to give people the chance to play. 

"To really capitalise on what they have done we need pubic spaces for people."

Judy is planning to build a "grassroots tennis and golf destination" on 400 acres of land on Park of Keir, south of Dunblane.

The development would include indoor and outdoor tennis courts, soft play, climbing walls and an adventure playground. 

There are also plans for mini courts, a six or nine-hole golf course, a driving range crazy golf and a "state of-the-art" light up, glass-floored court. 

As well as the range of activities, the site would have catering facilities, historic trails and a museum to the Murrays, and the site has planning permission for 19 houses, with the sale of the plots providing funding for the project. 

Judy was approached nearly seven years ago by Landowner Duncan King about using his site for her community-driven tennis facility. 

However, the process has been long due to several issues, including a campaign within the local community against the development. 

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Judy said: "These eight years have been full of curveballs, and hassle, and it’s constantly being misrepresented by those who are against it.

“There is misinformation about what it is and what it is going to be and the philosophy – or the reasons behind it.

"You hear them talking about, ‘this is just Judy Murray’s vanity project’ and ‘this is her elite training academy’ and we don’t need one.

"I have a massive community spirit – as my parents did before me – and this is what it is all about.

"I have lived in the area all my life.

"This is not a commercial venture in any way and it is not an elite tennis academy. It has never been that and it has never wavered from what it set out to be.

“It has taken almost eight years but we’re almost there. We’re waiting now for the Scottish Government to give final approval.

"We managed to agree section 75 with Stirling Council and that was a very long process – but it was a really important process to get it right for both sides.

"We have got it to where everybody is happy with it and that is really important."

She added: "So although it has taken a long time and it has been hugely frustrating – and by the time it actually gets opened the boys will be pretty much retired – I feel it’s that whole thing that if something is worth doing it is worth fighting for.

"I am so used to having to fight to make things happen - there have been times when I have questioned it and thought, is it worth it?

"But I believe in the project and I believe Scotland ought to have a centre of national significance that is run by somebody who is completely immersed in showcasing tennis and growing the game but also believes in the power of sport for health and wellbeing, all of these things – the life lessons you get from sport.

"It’s wonderful."