Lawn Tennis Association chiefs will have to move swiftly to ensure they are not written out of the Andy Murray story, following withering criticism over their handling of the sport in this country.
Baroness Billingham, chair of Parliament’s All Party Tennis Group, targeted soon-to-depart LTA chief executive Roger Draper for a sustained broadside, highlighting a declining number of players as an indication that the organisation are not fit for purpose on his watch.
However, Draper & Co can point out that the LTA have been supporting the double Grand Slam champion for years in his very personal journey to the top of the game.
It is well documented that Murray was sent to the Sanchez-Casal Academy in Spain at 15 years of age — a direct result of the difficult time brother Jamie experienced under the LTA system.
The LTA point out that Murray was part of the Rover Junior Tennis Initiative — similar to the current Aegon Future Stars system — for the brightest and the best blossoming tennis talent.
He was given access to training camps, international trips and tours as well as funding. When Murray chose to practise in Spain the LTA contributed financially to aid his progress.
Their biggest outlay on Murray came in 2006 when they employed Brad Gilbert on a reported £750,000-a-year salary to work with the Scot. Before that partnership came to an end, Murray moved into the world top 10.
The LTA also provided Matt Little as his physical trainer and Andy Ireland as his physiotherapist. They were in the player’s box to witness his Wimbledon triumph and remain key components of Team Murray.
The LTA have also been supporting Laura Robson’s rise up the rankings since the age of 13, during which time she has worked with LTA coaches including Luke Milligan and Lucie Ahl. Like Murray, the new world No27 has total access to the £40million National Tennis Centre at Roehampton.
Read More
The challenge for the LTA now is to ensure the young players that have already been identified continue to get the correct funding and support while ensuring they have the right systems in place to maximise the surge in popularity the sport will enjoy following Murray’s magical Wimbledon triumph.
