Tennis: Henman laments state of British tennis
Former British tennis star has voiced his frustration at the direction the sport is heading towards in his country
LONDON:
Former British tennis star Tim Henman has voiced his frustration at the direction the sport is heading towards in his country, saying that that a fundamental change in its youth policy is needed if it is to produce more top-class professionals. "I started playing professionally in 1992 and I'm getting bored of people saying, 'We've got to be patient'," said Henman. While the Lawn Tennis Association is concentrating its efforts on increasing participation, Henman believes it needs to be more discriminatory in its selection process. "It's not about saying, 'We can get a million juniors playing'," he said. "You've to get the right ones."
Published in The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2011.
Former British tennis star Tim Henman has voiced his frustration at the direction the sport is heading towards in his country, saying that that a fundamental change in its youth policy is needed if it is to produce more top-class professionals. "I started playing professionally in 1992 and I'm getting bored of people saying, 'We've got to be patient'," said Henman. While the Lawn Tennis Association is concentrating its efforts on increasing participation, Henman believes it needs to be more discriminatory in its selection process. "It's not about saying, 'We can get a million juniors playing'," he said. "You've to get the right ones."
Published in The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2011.