Andy Murray attacks LTA over lack of British talent waiting in the wings

Davis Cup hero slams governing body over limited talent pool and deserted National Tennis Centre

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Britain may be Davis Cup champions for the first time in 79 years but Andy Murray and some of his colleagues yesterday attacked the Lawn Tennis Association for what they see as the governing body’s failure to build on the achievements of the current generation of players.

Murray, speaking in the wake of Britain’s victory over Belgium here on Sunday, voiced his concern about the lack of British juniors coming through and was particularly scathing about the LTA’s running down of the National Tennis Centre at Roehampton, south London, which is no longer a base for the country’s elite players.

The world No 2 said he had been shocked by what he had found on a recent visit to the NTC. “I was there on a Monday at 3pm and then again on Tuesday at the same time,” Murray said. “There was not one person using any of the indoor courts and not one person in the gym. I took photos of it because the place cost £40m and there are no people there, no players in there practising. It was empty. There is nothing going on there at all.”

Under Michael Downey, who succeeded Roger Draper as chief executive nearly two years ago, the LTA has focused its efforts on increasing the numbers of people playing tennis. Three years ago Sport England held back more than £10m of funding because it was unhappy with the LTA’s response to declining participation numbers.

Earlier this year a survey showed that the number of people playing tennis on a weekly basis had increased by 38,200 to 422,000 a week, but in the long term the numbers are still down. “I don’t think the participation is really going up,” Murray said.

To divert money into participation, the LTA has cut its support for elite players and decentralised. Most of the top players now receive no financial support, while the LTA no longer provides coaching facilities for elite players at Roehampton, preferring instead to support regional centres. The NTC opened eight years ago and has 22 courts, including grass, indoors and clay, in addition to a well-equipped gym and other high-end facilities.

James Ward, Kyle Edmund and Jamie Murray, who were all part of the British team here, generally practise in London but regret the lack of available practice partners at Roehampton. “If Andy’s not there or Kyle’s not there, there is no one really to hit with and I have to go to another centre,” Jamie Murray said.

Ward said he was grateful when British coaches helped him when he was seeking practice but added: “You’d prefer to be hitting with players who are on tour.”

Edmund added: “When you are just one person in a centre or one of just a couple of people, it is no good. It is definitely something that should be backed – more players playing at the National Tennis Centre.”

Andy Murray said that he had only ever had one conversation with Downey. “It’s almost sometimes like I feel a bit like you waste time because nothing ever gets done,” he said. “I also don’t want to waste my time talking about stuff. That’s also the reality. I’d rather concentrate on my own stuff and when I’ve finished playing I’ll have a lot more time to try and help or give back to the game.”

Asked if the Davis Cup victory could be a bigger catalyst for change within British tennis by the LTA than his personal Wimbledon triumph two years ago, Murray said: “I hope so, but they need to act on it now. It’s no use doing it in 18 months. I think it’s time to make some positive changes so that things get better.”

Downey agreed that the Davis Cup triumph could “drive interest in our sport”, but did not reveal any specific plans. “We need to keep in mind the time of year,” he said. “Participation peaks when you head into the spring-summer period.”