British Tennis

The problem with British tennis, as it is Wimbledon time of the year it feels appropriate to talk about the lack of British tennis players. Andy Murray has a fine chance of winning Wimbledon but this can not hide the problems of the game in Britain. Eight players went out in the first round with Murray left this is not really good enough for a country that is a home of the ground slam. Is funding a problem? British tennis has had more money than most other sports it of a similar size so funding is not a problem.

The problems with British tennis can not be characterised by one specific issue but can only compared with other countries. Australia is the first country to look at, Australia is a small country population wise but has produced some of the greatest tennis players ever to play the game, Laver, Newcombe, Goolagong, Cash and Hewitt. In the same period Britain has produced none. The reason for Australian dominance has been speculated on but the main reason seems to be the outdoor lifestyle and the amount of space. It was easy for Australians to go outside and have a hit. Allied to the Aussie need for competition this created a winning combination for Australian tennis players. The other interesting comparison between Britain and Australia on the tennis court is that British tennis is game played usually in tennis clubs. In Australia cheap land meant that most houses could have a tennis court, making the game more egalitarian.

The other country to look at is Russia, the women's game especially has been nearly overwhelmed by the preponderance of Russian players. The reason for this is simple, Boris Yeltsin. In the early 90's Yeltsin, a tennis obessive decided that Russia would become good at that most western of games. State funding followed and the game flourished and grand slam champions arrived. In the same period Britain has produced no champions.

So what too do, cutting state funding for mediocrity is essential, find the players with talent and give them the best coaches if this means trips to Spain or America fine. Cut the cost of tennis at clubs and get the general population playing tennis. Make the game of tennis less about the game two weeks a year and more about the joy of participation in sport.