Andy Murray inspire Britain's US Open success, says Annabel Croft
LTA are capitalising on feel-good factor through grass roots program
Monday 5 September 2016 17:49, UK
Tennis in Britain is reaching out to new audiences after the successful run of Andy Murray, Kyle Edmund, Dan Evans and Johanna Konta at the US Open, says Annabel Croft.
Three singles players reached the fourth round of a major for the first time since 1964 after Murray, Edmund and Konta all progressed at Flushing Meadows last week.
Evans bowed out in five thrilling sets to Stan Wawrinka in the third round, after spurning a match point against the world No 3, while Edmund and Konta were beaten on Sunday by top-ranked Novak Djokovic and surprise package Anastasija Sevastova respectively.
But it still remains an outstanding tournament for British players, particularly given Edmund, 21, Evans, 26, and Konta, 25, should all have the primes of their careers ahead of them.
Murray has been a driving force behind the breakthrough group, especially for the men, who have both cited his work ethic as a shining example to follow and Croft concurs.
"It's been amazing, absolutely incredible" she told Sky Sports. "They've all kicked on to a different level and I feel they're all spurring each other on and success is breeding more success.
There is no question that Andy Murray spearheading the top of the British game has been highly motivating for everybody else
"I just think there's a real feel-good factor around all of them. They're all highly motivated in their training sessions and very supportive of each other.
"There is no question that Andy Murray spearheading the top of the British game has been highly motivating for everybody else, but he's also laid down the mantle for how much hard work needs to be put in to be able to be that good.
"I think Andy's been very supportive of the other team-mates where he's invited them to train with him in Miami and they've been around him in Davis Cup. There is no question that has rubbed off on the other two - Kyle and Dan."
World No 84 Edmund defeated two seeds to reach the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time which included victories over 13th seed Richard Gasquet and 20th seed John Isner.
But the Briton was outclassed from the start by defending champion Djokovic who sealed a comfortable 6-2 6-1 6-4 win on a packed Arthur Ashe.
Croft feels the Yorkshireman has now even risen above next generation hopefuls Borna Coric, Nick Kyrgios and Alexander Zverev at the top of the tree.
"I'm not surprised by the progress he has made," said the former British No 1. "He's always had a really good head on his shoulders and also he definitely has weapons, but it's almost like a flick of the switch and I am surprised at how there has been a surge.
"I interviewed him at the Tie Break Tens tournament at the Royal Albert Hall last year and there was this little bit of banter between himself and Andy Murray. It turned out that there was a bit of a joke going on between them that people are always saying 'Kyle needs to kick on'. So it became a bit of a strapline 'Kick on Kyle' and I think to what he's done in the past 15 months - he's definitely kicked on."
For Birmingham-born Evans, who was once ranked 772 in the world, he is now finally fulfilling his obvious potential after coming within one point of a shock victory against two-time major winner Wawrinka.
"That match he gave us was one of the most entertaining tennis matches I've ever sat and watched," said Croft. "It was a heartbreaker for him the fact that he actually got to match point and couldn't have played any better.
"The sheer mesmerising tennis that he was playing was great to watch. He plays a very exciting brand of tennis and a really intelligent game with his precise backhand, coming forward and the way he was closing down the net.
"He brings so much to the court and I think the success that he's had will keep spurring him on to work even harder. Both Edmund and Evans will go inside that Top 50 and keep climbing I'm sure."
Konta was bidding to become the first British woman in the quarter-finals in New York since Jo Durie in 1983, but Latvian world No 48 Sevastova upset the 13th seed.
Despite the disappointment, Croft feels Konta, who was ranked a lowly 668 in 2008, won't be too disheartened by defeat having secured her first WTA Tour title in Stanford last month.
"For Jo, she also obviously would have been motivated from what Andy has achieved. She is also very, very hardworking and utterly professional herself and I think all that hard work that she's put in has come together.
"It's so unbelievable how quickly she's risen up the ranks because it was only three or four years ago when [Laura] Robson was doing so well at the US Open. Jo had not really been talked about that much but she was quietly getting on with it in the background and now she's the one who's come through and overtaken all of them and by some distance too."
Last year the LTA launched its biggest ever grass roots program to capitalise on Britain's historic Davis Cup win.
The Tennis for Kids was created to establish a genuine tennis participation legacy with the aim to inspire the next generation of tennis players and Croft says it will only get bigger if Murray completes his golden summer with victory at Flushing Meadows followed by the defence of the Davis Cup.
"There's a real feel good factor in the community with all those pro's and coaches - they are the unsung heroes because they don't get a lot of credibility. It's not easy and I think the campaign has galvanised a lot of people. I think this year has been a huge success. They've introduced more than 15,000 kids to the sport so it's been very positive."
