Josh Goodall – British Davis Cup Player Loses Sponsorship Funding

Written by: Staff on 6th December 2012

Josh Goodall - British Davis Cup Player Loses Sponsorship Funding |

Britain’s Davis Cup player, Josh Goodall, was pushed further towards retirement when the financially pressurized 27 year-old was excluded from the Team Aegon funding program for 2013.

Goodall, who has climbed more than 200 places since last summer and stood in for Andy Murray as the leading British player in the Davis Cup tie against Belgium last April, recently admitted his financial situation meant he was facing the hard decision of whether or not he could continue his career.

The current world no.255’s parents have remortgaged their home five times to fund their son’s tennis but the loss of Team Aegon support, estimated to be worth £25,000, (about $40,,000) would appear to have forced a decision.

“I’m 27 and I’ve got bills to pay,” maintained Goodall a few weeks ago. “’At Futures and Challenger level the prize money is not high enough. When you’re barely breaking even it’s difficult to accept, especially when you think tennis is a big sport.

”We’re professionals and it would be nice if it was a bit easier to make a living. At the moment it comes with a lot of stress.”

Goodall has recently been overtaken as Britain’s second highest ranked male player by another omission from the Team Aegon program, 26 year-old Jamie Baker who has fought a constant battle against injuries and life-threatening illness.

However former British no.1 woman Elena Baltacha, who admitted at the Olympic Games she was contemplating retirement from the WTA scene, is included in the list of 21 names to be funded by Team Aegon, which provides the highest level of performance support as well as training support at performance venues either in Great Britain or abroad.

Selection for the Team Aegon programme is based upon demonstrating the highest level of performance, and the potential to compete against the very best tennis players in the world.

It also includes international travel assistance, and gives players a range of sport science support including medical, physical, psychological and nutritional assistance.

Leon Smith, LTA Head of Men’s and Women’s Tennis, said: “We recognize that whether a player succeeds is ultimately down to them, but we are committed to identifying and supporting these talented athletes, in order to help them to maximise their potential, and inspire more people to play and follow tennis.”

Ian Murray, Head of Sponsorship at Aegon, added: “We’re delighted to continue supporting the LTA with the development of the most talented tennis players in the country through Team Aegon and the Aegon FutureStars programs.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: British tennis news, Davis Cup, Josh Goodall, Sports, Team Aegon, Tennis News