Michael Downey resigns as chief executive of LTA

Michael Downey has tendered his resignation as chief executive of the Lawn Tennis Association after three years in the role.

The Canadian, who will serve out six months' notice, is to return to his previous role as chief executive of Tennis Canada.

Downey, whose two sons live in Canada, cited his desire to return home as the driving force behind his departure, which came as a shock to staff at the LTA's Roehampton base.

Downey joined the LTA in January 2014 and has overseen the most successful period for the sport in Britain in living memory.

Although the governing body can claim only limited credit for the success of the country's top players, the exploits of the likes of Andy Murray and Johanna Konta have boosted tennis' profile.

Downey took over from the widely-criticised Roger Draper and has focused on growing the sport at grass-roots level.

When Downey began the job, the LTA was threatened with a significant cut in Sport England funding over slumping participation figures.

But he has succeeded in reversing the trend, with the LTA increasingly focusing on courts in parks and other public areas rather than traditional clubs.