Murray Suggests LTA Re-Route Development Money Payout

Written by: Staff on 17th November 2011

BNP Paribas 2011 Masters Tennis Tournament

Murray Suggests LTA Re-Route Development Money Payout

Andy Murray of Britain sits on his bench prior to the start of his quarter-finals match against Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic, during at the BNP Paribas 2011 Masters Tennis tournament in Paris, France, 11 November 2011. EPA/HORACIO VILLALOBOS |

When Leon Smith was handed the task of guiding British tennis into the next decade and building far greater strength in depth near the top of the game, many believed he was put into a position of such importance because of his relationship to Andy Murray.

Smith coached Murray during his fellow Scot’s formative years and since his appointment as Davis Cup captain, the world no.3 has shown a renewed appetite to represent his nation and shoulder much of the burden of restoring a position worthy of self-respect.

But Murray and Smith appear distinctly at odds over both the question of funding for British players and the coaching younger players are receiving.

The progression of British tennis talent appears to be improving with Oliver Golding taking the US Open boys’ title and the 16 year-old trio of Kyle Edmund, Luke Bambridge and Eva Hoyt winning the Junior Davis Cup but world no.3 Andy Murray is still asking for a hardening of attitude from Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association.

Murray remains concerned about the amount of funding from the cash rich LTA for players who don’t merit such generous financial support. He wants to see an overhaul in the whole concept and believes each player generating his or her own funds would create a more determined attitude.

“In Spain, at the age of 18, your funding stops,” said Murray who spent time in his youth at the Casal Sanchez Academy in Barcelona. “From there, you get nothing that you cannot earn for yourself. We’re funding guys up to the age of 27 or 28 – while in the most successful tennis nation in the world you’re basically on your own. Maybe there’s something in that.

“When I went to Spain, from the best players to the worst players we were all taught the same way, all given the same drills. They had a structure and they stuck to it.”

Smith also shared some thoughts: “Every nation goes through cycles where there are groups of good players. Otherwise everyone would follow the same magic formula year in year out. Did the Spanish have the same number in the world’s top 100 a quarter of a century ago?

“People might have said in the past things are too comfortable and cozy. What we are talking now at the LTA is putting world class programs together. Every other nation that has funds also provides the same. We are picking the players who have an intrinsic driven desire to really commit to this lifestyle.”

“DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”

Topics: Leon Smith, Lta, Murray