Is this why the LTA havent produced champions?

Question

Jeremy Bale (now departed) said that they allowed the boys to play different sports up to the age of 13/14 when they were then asked what they wanted to do. If the boys dont even know they want to be tennis players long before then, what are they doing with the LTA? You dont make Champions out of 14 year olds - you make them at 8 years old at the latest. Sharapova was 'discovered by Navratilova at age 6 and sent to Florida asap. Happily, Bale was given his cards anyway and the very much sharper Roger Draper has been brought in. comments?

Answer 1

They are to cosseted financially.They have no

heart with the amount of money thrown at them

Like in football they need to be found and want

to train to be pros.If not up to scratch or in doubt about a career in it.Out.

Answer 2

Quite right. An awful lot of money has been wasted producing hundreds of exceptional county players, when what we really need is a couple of world-beaters...

I don't have the stats to hand, but I expect that all of the world's top 50 men and women players knew that they wanted to be professional tennis players by the time they were 8. I doubt any of them did much else sports-wise after about that age either. Andy Murray certainly didn't, according to his mother.

Answer 3

If LTA, the country, sporting fraternity had 'tennis scouts', like he USA (basket ball), maybe talented kids would be found at earlier age.  Thing is, how to get the 'possibility' noted by those who are 'in charge' of the LTA's tennis stars of the future ............. ?

Answer 4

No clue.