Wednesday 2 December 2015 13:45, UK
Annabel Croft claims finding the next Andy Murray is “not an exact science” after the British No 1 criticised the development of future tennis players.
Having steered Great Britain to their first Davis Cup success in 79 years, adding to his two Grand Slam titles and Olympic gold medal, Murray expressed concerns that the LTA were not doing enough to encourage up-and-coming players.
But Croft, a former British No 1, claimed Murray is a special talent who isn't easily reproduced.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, Croft said: "It's not an exact science, it's a very complicated thing to take a young, junior talent from the age of six, seven or eight right up into the senior ranks of winning Grand Slams. There is so much that can go wrong along the way and so much that could potentially go right.
It's a very complicated thing to take a young, junior talent from the age of six, seven or eight right up into the senior ranks of winning Grand Slams.
"[Murray] went to Spain which was a fantastic decision and he was helped by the LTA. They funded his coach Brad Gilbert.
"The LTA have funded players along the way in different ways - it doesn't always mean they fund their players here in Britain."
Murray had criticised the absence of young players to take his place when he eventually retires, but Croft insists the LTA are doing everything possible to find his successor.
The Sky Sports expert praised the organisation for revamping themselves in a bid to capitalise upon Murray's successes.
"When Andy speaks, you have to listen, particularly off the back of such a fantastic result at the weekend," she said.
"What he's referring to is that he would like to see more youngsters coming through behind him, more players in the top 100 and more at grassroots level. But it's a difficult science producing great champions - he is one of a kind, extremely unique. He is so unbelievably dedicated in every aspect of what he does. These champions don't come along very often.
"The LTA have gone through a recent, massive overhaul of the way that the culture is in British tennis. Andy mentioned something about the National Tennis Centre being empty, he doesn't have enough players to play with.
"The LTA are going about it by trying to increase mass participation, not just focusing on the very top of the game. I personally think they're going about it in the right way."
