Petchey blast for Draper

Petchey: Draper blast

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Mark Petchey says John Lloyd has been made the 'scapegoat' for Great Britain's shocking Davis Cup result against Lithuania.

Petchey believes Lawn Tennis Association chief executive Roger Draper needs to hold his own hands up for Britain's predicament, which could see them drop into the lowest tier of the tournament alongside the likes of San Marino and Andorra.

Lloyd stepped down as GB captain on Tuesday in the wake of Britain's humiliating loss to Lithuania earlier this month, although he was absolved from blame for the lack of depth in the men's game in Britain.

Petchey has given evidence as a key witness at the first of two hearings of the All-Party Parliamentary Tennis Group, and believes LTA chief Draper needs to be held accountable.

"If John goes, there's a lot of other people I would like to see go as well," Petchey told Sky News. "If he is used as a scapegoat it's a disgrace.

Responsibility

"Do I think that Roger Draper needs to take responsibility for the current situation we're in? Absolutely yes. I do think there are people who should lose their jobs."

The LTA's player director Steven Martens will lead the search for a new captain and coach, making the appointment along with Draper ahead of the Davis Cup relegation play-off with Turkey in July.

Andy Murray and Britain's other Davis Cup players are expected to have a major say in the appointment of Lloyd's successor and will be consulted by Martens and Draper.

Along with Lloyd, Paul Annacone will leave the Davis Cup team, focusing instead on his role as head coach of men's tennis.

Britain must now beat Turkey - a team beaten by Ireland earlier this month - in Eastbourne from July 9-11 to avoid dropping to Europe/Africa Zone Group III, which is the lowest tier of the competition.

Petchey insists that the vast amount of money pumped into tennis has been misused, with more cash needed to find new champions at grass roots rather than the £39m spent to build the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton.

"The LTA needs to turn the investment on its head," he said. "I would love to see Roehampton mothballed for a long time.

"We only do lip service to grass roots in this country."