Davis Cup triumph can drive interest in our sport - LTA chief Michael Downey

30 November 2015 01:31

Lawn Tennis Association chief executive Michael Downey is confident Great Britain's Davis Cup triumph can lead to a growth in the game in this country.

The LTA was heavily criticised by figures inside and outside the game for the failure to capitalise on Andy Murray's Wimbledon success in 2013.

Participation actually fell in the months following his victory over Novak Djokovic and the LTA was faced with losing part of its funding from Sport England.

The latest figures were more encouraging but the relatively narrow base is widely seen as the main reason why Britain's strength in depth at the top of the game is so poor.

The woeful participation figures led at least in part to Downey's predecessor Roger Draper leaving the organisation, with the Canadian taking over at the start of 2014.

But, two years into the job, Downey has found himself under pressure over his record so far, with the LTA appearing to lack direction.

He insisted Britain's stunning and unexpected Davis Cup success, earned with victory over Belgium in Ghent this weekend, will not be another missed opportunity.

Downey cited Britain's first Davis Cup tie next year, against Japan in Birmingham in March, as the ideal time to really push participation.

He said: "These are very special, emotional moments that can actually drive interest in our sport, there's no doubt about it.

"We need to keep in mind the time of year we have got. Participation peaks when you head into the spring/summer period. We've probably got a couple of great weeks of coverage (now). That is going to encourage participation.

"We are hoping this team wins team of the year (at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year show). That would happen later in December.

"Then we will head towards that March period. Our team gets to come back to a home tie in Birmingham and that's going to be the time when we really want to see the activation hit a high level."

Davis Cup captain Leon Smith wants the opportunity to be seized upon.

He told the BBC: "At the end of the day, we all care about British tennis a lot. What we want to see is more people playing, so there should be a bigger talent pool in years to come.

"It really is an important time to get strategies rolled out as quickly as possible, not only to get people on the court but to keep them on the court.

"We need to offer them good clubs and good coaches that turn up in all weather and bang out great sessions. Let's hope it has a positive influence, because it should do."

Former Davis Cup captain David Lloyd criticised Andy Murray in an interview ahead of the tie for not putting enough back into British tennis.

His comments have been widely slated, and Downey, who has only had a brief meeting with Murray, stressed that winning on the court is the best way for Britain's number one player to contribute.

"He not only led this team to a grand championship that this nation hasn't had in 79 years, but no-one can question his commitment to this country, the commitment to the game, the commitment to the team," Downey said.

"He was all about the team, and clearly the best thing that we've always said about Andy Murray is he keeps winning, and especially when he wins in special moments like this."

Downey, meanwhile, is also hopeful Britain will have a new player to call on next year, with Aljaz Bedene's appeal against ineligibility due to be heard in by the International Tennis Federation board in March.

The British number two is currently barred from playing in Davis Cup for Britain because he has already represented his native country Slovenia.

Bedene's case was due to have been heard before the final but was postponed.

Downey said: "I'm cautiously optimistic. We think the case is solid, very solid. That's one of the things that we will raise with the ITF now that we have won the Davis Cup.

"He's a proud Brit. He now has citizenship. He has been in this country over seven years, he plays county tennis. He deserves to play for Great Britain. Let's hope we can help him get over the hump."

Source: PA