Aberdeen Cup

The involvement of Andy Murray, who rose into the top 100 in the ATP rankings in 2005, was largely the source of public interest in the competition.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/atptour/2368957/Cup-rests-on-whim-of-Murray.html|title=Cup rests on whim of Murray|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=28 November 2005}} The inaugural tournament, held in that year, was won by Scotland.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4474912.stm|title=Rusedski defuses Murray challenge|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 November 2005}}{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4476784.stm|title=Murray gains revenge on Rusedski|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 November 2005}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/nov/28/tennis.sport|title=Murray's home show ends in hollow triumph|newspaper=The Guardian|date=28 November 2005}} This event was the only time that Murray played Greg Rusedski; they never met on the ATP tour. This was the first time that Andy and his brother Jamie Murray played doubles as seniors.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4457344.stm|title=Murray out to please Scots crowd|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 November 2005}}

The following year, Scotland successfully defended their title{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/4986312.stm|title=Tennis aces serve up Aberdeen tie|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 May 2006}}{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5110752.stm|title=Murray to lead Scots in Aberdeen|publisher=BBC Sport|date=23 June 2006}}{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/tennis/murray-s-focus-still-on-improvement-1-1417161|title=Murray's focus still on improvement|newspaper=The Scotsman|date=19 November 2006}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6173238.stm|title=Elder Murray aims for cup double |publisher=BBC Sport|date=23 November 2006}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/creaking-rusedski-plans-to-soldier-on-425751.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304221028/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/creaking-rusedski-plans-to-soldier-on-425751.html |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|title=Creaking Rusedski plans to soldier on|newspaper=The Independent|date=25 November 2006}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/nov/27/tennis.sport|title=Murray defeats Rusedski to wrap up Scottish success|newspaper=The Guardian|date=27 November 2006}} amidst criticism from Murray regarding the court surface and the ticket prices, as well as low attendance rates compared to the previous year, and the perceived lack of quality English players for future events.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/murray-wants-a-sport-for-all-scot-hits-out-at-tennis-elitism-and-the-aberdeen-cup-1.3889|title=Murray wants a sport for all Scot hits out at tennis elitism and the Aberdeen Cup |newspaper=Herald Scotland|date=27 November 2006}}

The 2005 tournament was broadcast live on Sky Sports, but in 2006, only highlights were shown on Sky Sports.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12397859.ALL_CHANGE_FOR_CUP/|title=ALL CHANGE FOR CUP|newspaper=Herald Scotland|date=5 November 2006}}

The Scotland team was captained by Andy Murray, with Greg Rusedski leading the England side.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/nov/22/tennis.sport|title=Murray keen on patriot games with Rusedski|newspaper=The Guardian|date=22 November 2005}} The tournament was held in a similar form to a Davis Cup match.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4334898.stm|title=Murray & Rusedski announce clash|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 October 2005}} There were rubbers in both singles and doubles play. Unlike the Davis Cup, there were also male and female junior players taking part, with each of their rubbers worth half that of a senior rubber, and one ladies player on each team. Furthermore, with the exception of the 'headline' matches, between the two team captains, senior matches were only two sets long, with a 1–1 tie settled by tie-break. The junior matches were played over four games (see: Tennis score).

• {{cite news|url=http://www.uksponsorship.com/oct06aber.htm|title=Second annual Aberdeen Cup tennis challenge attracts sponsors' support|publisher=UK sponsorship|date=27 October 2006}}

Category:Tennis tournaments in Scotland

Category:Sports competitions in Aberdeen

Category:Recurring sporting events established in 2005

Category:Recurring events disestablished in 2006

Category:2005 in Scottish sport

Category:2006 in Scottish sport

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