Petchey: Draper should go

Draper: Wanted out by Petchey

Draper has failed as the chief executive, his whole vision for British tennis has failed.

Mark Petchey
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Andy Murray's former coach Mark Petchey has urged Roger Draper to quit as Lawn Tennis Association chief executive - or face being forced out.

In a scathing attack on Draper's four years in charge, Petchey says that Britain's Davis Cup defeat to Lithuania last weekend shows that change is needed at the top.

And the 39-year-old, formerly the head of men's training at the LTA, insists British tennis would be better off without Draper in the picture.

"This is about the structure of British tennis, about the vision of the LTA," Petchey told the Daily Telegraph.

"Either Draper has to resign or the (LTA) council has to get off its hands and force him out. Unfortunately, I very much doubt whether Draper will resign, so it's going to take the council to do something.

"Draper has failed as the chief executive, his whole vision for British tennis has failed.

"He has spent an extraordinary amount of money over the past few years, millions and millions of pounds, and where has it got us? Nowhere. I think we're in a worse position with men's tennis than we were when Draper took over."

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However, Davis Cup player Jamie Baker has backed the LTA's current regime, but insists it needs to be given more time before it can produce results.

Baker was named in captain John Lloyd's squad to face Lithuania, but suffered an ankle injury in training and was forced to fly home before the start of play.

"I'm worried we could lose out in another, far more significant, contest: the blame game. I've heard the calls for John Lloyd to quit as Davis Cup captain. I was part of the squad in Lithuania and I respect him hugely," said Baker.

"And I've heard the complaints about the Lawn Tennis Association. 'Rip it up and start again' seems to be the mantra. Nothing would be more damaging for the sport in this country."

Baker believes the treatment he has received for his injury at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton highlights how the sport is developing in Britain, and insists it is the players who must up their game.

"The whole level of professionalism has gone up massively. Everything is in place for the players to succeed," he added.

"It's not up to the LTA to churn out winners. Their job is to look after the wider game and provide the environment for success at the elite level. And we as players need to grab that opportunity."