Downey Planning To Build British Tennis Around Murray

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 25th September 2013

Downey Planning To Build British Tennis Around Murray

epa03825027 Andy Murray ,of Britain, returns a volley to Mikhail Youzhny, of Russia, during the second round of ATP Masters in Mason, Ohio, USA, 14 August 2013. Murray won 6-2,6-3. EPA/Mark Lyons |

The timing was ironic. Andy Murray was recovering from back surgery in his London private hospital bed while the head man of British tennis Michael Downey was insisting his entire approach to building a stronger reputation the sport on the eastern side of the Atlantic Ocean would be built around the Scot.

Michael Downey, the 56-year-old Canadian who replaces the widely criticized Roger Draper as the Lawn Tennis Association’s chief executive officer, played a safe strategy as he laid out his future plans and said: “The opportunity of having Andy Murray as Wimbledon champion, and a two-time slam champion, is immense for tennis in Britain.

“Kids are going to pick up rackets and want to be Andy, and I believe there will be a bevy of talent that follows in his footsteps. Andy’s greatest contribution to tennis in Great Britain is winning. ‘That inspires people.”

Downey’s prime task at the LTA is not to inspire Murray to get back on court as quickly as possible or win many more Grand Slam titles. After much criticism from the British government and a threat of funding cuts because of dropping participation figures, he must get more British people playing tennis more regularly.

In Canada Downey has done just that, increasing the number of regular players on public courts by around 30 % over the past six years and current figures show he has helped to encourage 1.2 million people to play tennis at least twice a month during the Canadian summer.

All England Club chairman Philip Brook sat through the press announcement of Downey’s appointment made by LTA chairman of the board David Gregson. Brook looked pleased at the choice, particularly as Wimbledon intends to take a more proactive role in the governance of British tennis including having a member of the All England Club’s management committee sit on the LTA board. In return the LTA received its’ annual cash boost of £30 million from the profits of this summer’s Championships.

Downey arrived with some glowing commendations from his peers and predecessors at Tennis Canada, where he has spent nine years in charge and will not leave until December 31.

John Beddington, the Englishman who moved across to Montreal in an opposite move in 1979 and was Tournament Director and then Tournament Chairman of the Canadian Open Tennis Championships in both Toronto and Montreal until 1995and also the Executive Vice- President of Tennis Canada for ten years, said: “Michael Downey is an outstanding person and will do a great job. He has done extremely well at Tennis Canada.”

Martin Wolstenholme, a former ATP World Tour player and Chairman of Tennis Development for Tennis Canada, said: “Britain is very fortunate to have secured Michael’s services because he’s been looked at by a few people. He is very smart, he has learned a lot about tennis and the tennis business over the years and he executes well.

“He took a little while to embrace the development programs and then saw the power of it and how it can be used to leverage success. I’m sure he will use the template that has worked so well here, he will look at the competitive structure, he will listen to a lot of people and will disseminate the good from the bad because there are so many charlatans in this sport.”

Downey will be paid £300,000 ($US 480,000) a year with the opportunity of a 30% bonus but Wolstenholme added: “I’m sure Michael is not in it for the money, he’s doing it for the challenge. He will be hands-on, he’ll know what is happening in each department and he has a very strong work-ethic. One thing he will not do is make arrogant proclamations.”

Topics: 10sballs.com, Andy Murray, Atp, Lta, Michael Downey, Roger Draper, Tennis, Tennis News, Wimbledon