Tim Henman has called for the LTA to make grass roots a higher priority in order to get more youngsters involved in the sport.
Former world number four urges LTA to make changes
Tim Henman has called for the Lawn Tennis Association to make grass roots a higher priority in order to get more youngsters involved in the sport.
Great Britain are facing relegation to the lowest tier of the Davis Cup after losing in their recent tie against Lithuania, causing the LTA to concentrate primarily on the shortage of top level players.
But former world number four Henman, who has announced his return to competitive tennis at the AEGON Masters Tennis event at the Royal Albert Hall in November, insists the immediate concern should be unearthing fresh talent.
Focus
"There has been a lot of focus on Davis Cup but, for me, that should be the icing on the cake," said Henman.
"We need to look at the grass roots, the clubs, the tennis in schools. There is a massive amount of money put into those areas but we need to target them more strongly.
"I am sure the LTA will come back and say they are spending 50% of their money on the grass roots but for me they need to spend more.
"We have some fantastic facilities and some very good coaches but if we haven't got any players what can they do? We need to change the base of our pyramid to make that a lot better."
Meanwhile, LTA chief executive Roger Draper insists the association are not seeking a big name such as Henman to replace former Great Britain Davis Cup captain John Lloyd following his resignation.
Lloyd resigned following the dismal Lithuania defeat and former Davis Cup players Henman and Greg Rusedski have since been linked to the post, but Draper has indicated the LTA are looking for someone already in the coaching system.
"We don't need a big name, we want somebody who is embedded in British tennis," said Draper.
"It's a great opportunity for some young British coaches to come through."
Uncertain
With British tennis in its current state of uncertainty, Draper has asked player director Steve Martens to conduct an internal review.
His initial findings will be presented to the LTA board on Tuesday, the same day Draper goes before the All-Party Parliamentary Tennis Group to break down how the LTA spends the £27million in public funding it receives from Sport England for grass roots projects.
"We know there are things that need to be improved but we're also very clear about the things that are going well," said Draper.
"This is a chance to have a balanced exchange of views with the panel. We have a contract with Sport England for the community funding until 2012 and we're bang on track with it."
