Tim Henman has sent a message to the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) warning that British tennis cannot rest on its laurels following the success of Andy Murray.
Henman: ‘It’s imperative for the LTA and the game of tennis in this country that they capitalise on it,’ ‘They have an unbelievable role model. It’s been such a journey. He’s overcome so many hurdles but this has to inspire the next generation to play the game and prouce better players going forward.‘
In just over four years, Murray has won two Olympic Gold Medals, a Silver Medal (partnered with Laura Robson), a US Open, two Wimbledon titles, and just recently, the ATP World Tour Finals. He also anchored the team that won the Davis Cup for Great Britain, captained by Leon Smith and including the likes of James Ward, Dominic Inglot, Dan Evans, Kyle Edmund, and Andy’s older brother Jamie.
Despite the recent success however, there are noticeable issues with British tennis. Everyone has lauded the success of Murray and pointed to the fact that Britain now also has Dan Evans, and Kyle Edmund inside the Top 100. Yet Aljaz Bedene has now fallen outside the Top 100, as has James Ward, who endured a torrid 2016. Liam Broady, who had enjoyed a win at Wimbledon and looked poised for a breakthrough, has instead regressed, falling outside the Top 300.
Greg Rusedski, who has spent much of his time coaching the 15-17 year-old players in the LTA performance groups noted in 2012 “We won the European Summer and Winter Cups. And then we won the Junior Davis Cup too, which made us the first country to do the triple“. With such strong success in the juniors, British fans could have been forgiven for expecting to see British tennis become a force in the men’s game. Yet for every Dan Evans and Kyle Edmund, there are those who have drifted into obscurity. Luke Bambridge, part of that successful team with Kyle Edmund is still playing on the Futures circuit. Evan Hoyt, also part of Rusedski’s team, is ranked at No.759.
George Morgan has not played since 2014, and Oliver Golding, arguably the group’s most talented, with a junior US Open to his name, has turned his back on tennis in favour of an acting career. Given the success of this group, there is little doubt that British junior tennis is improving, but assisting the transition from the junior tour to the professional is in desperate need of attention.
