LTA chief sets new top 100 target (BBC interview)

mkkreuk · Admin:Moderator + ATP qualifying

RE: LTA chief sets new top 100 target (BBC interview)

Salmon · Tennis legend

Well, if the target is just 5 for men and women combined, it's hardly worth setting one.

It's very likely that we'll have 5 women in and out of the top 100 by then, if not more.

mkkreuk · Admin:Moderator + ATP qualifying

It's a realistic target and if we have 2 men in the top 100, and 3 women in the top 100 in 2010 that'll be better than anything I can remember.

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, I didn't catch all of the interview thgis morning, I switched on during it.

But, I was definitely under the impression he was talking about men and women combned, which is indeed very achievable.

If it is achieved, I rather suspect that it will be one man, four women ! Most likely Murray, Keothavong, Baltacha, South and Cavaday.

I don't see any real prospect of any younger player setting the world alight and reaching the top 100 by the end of 2010.

gazzpash · Club Coach

He was talking about a combined total. You may say its a poor target but we havent been setting the world alight and it is a more realistic target and from there can go on

Salmon · Tennis legend

But surely targets should be slightly unrealistic? I mean, you need something big to work for, don't you?

Okay, saying that we'll have six Grand Slam winners by 2010 is pointless as we won't, but five men and six women for the top 100 by 2010 is definitely achievable.

For the men, I think Andy, Boggo, Cox, Ward and someone else will be there by 2010.

wolf · Tennis legend

But what is the point of setting such targets? I can see why you should set targets for individual players, but I see no purpose for such generalised targets.

madfan · Social player

Agree that Draper has to be ambitious BUT good to be realistic as well. It is all well and good him talking about kids giving up school but that is just such a big risk to take unless the child really is talented beyond belief. Sure, a lot of our players will be wonderful tennis players but to get to the next level - Top 100, especially in the men's game- you have to be something truly special. I have to say I do worry when I hear how many young kids are told by their coaches they have exceptional talent when even I can see that they dont!!! Just watching the Spaniards play footie tonight I could see that they all had great footwork, balance, athletic ability - looking at some of the kids who are meant to be the answer to Britains tennis problems I just wonder if they have ever been assessed on their inate athletic ability - I somehow think not!!!

indiana · Tennis legend

Greenleaf wrote:

For the men, I think Andy, Boggo, Cox, Ward and someone else will be there by 2010.

It's a nice dream, but I just don't see it happening at all. If there are more than 2 men in the top 100 by then, I will be surpised ( pleasantly I will add ). And I could see it possibly still being only Andy.

Salmon · Tennis legend

We'll see...

steven · Tennis legend

Neil Harman expands on yesterday's BBC article and offers his own views too at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article4238280.ece.

There's a lot to be said for his view that the LTA shouldn't be responsible for producing players (and hence shouldn't be allowed to be drawn into this kind of pointless target-setting by the media) but should instead be responsible for creating the kind of conditions that enable promising players and competition to flourish. e.g. part of the article reads:

"One would hope that the chief executives comments on the BBCs Sportsweek programme yesterday will lead to a dismantling of performance objectives and concentrate the resources, given to the LTA by Wimbledon, where they need to be concentrated. Coaches across the country need to be released and inspired to spread the tennis gospel free of the dead hand of the LTAs doctrinaire approach.

Facilities need to be built so that children can pick up a racket, be enthused about the game and, from then on, can afford to travel to play in competitions. More tournaments need to be staged rather than as is the vogue cut back. Then, and only then, might the sport prosper."

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Well said, Neil.

James · Satellite level

I can't say that I always agree with Neil but that small piece has [imo] hit the nail on the head and concurred with what many of you guys have been saying.

mjd · Challenger qualifying

The Timesonline has the most constructive criticism I have seen in a long time (Except on here of course), but will anyone that matters listen? hmm

The Hoose · Satellite level

Not sure what Neil wants in respect of the wildcards. On the one hand he asks for "criteria" to be set out, then he criticises Wimbledon for having set an "arbitrary" rule this year, describing it as an embarrassment. I know it was a bit late in coming this year, but for me there's still a slight contradiction in whether or not it's good to have clear rules for who will get a wildcard.

I also think Draper and Harman are going for soundbytes when discussing whether the LTA should be focusing on creating the environment or developing players. If we're just going to work on the environment, the LTA shouldn't be putting any resources into players - no subsidised trips, no coaching. I think that's wrong.

Yes, the biggest priority should be the next generation, otherwise we're always going to be where we are now, and I agree that we got the balance wrong up to now.

But it shouldn't be an either/or thing. For the moment, the LTA also has a big interest in getting the best out of the top few current British players (both from a commercial perspective, through their impact on sponsorship deals, ticket sales, TV rights etc; and in terms of them helping to generate interest and create that good environment to support British tennis). Because we have so few good players in this country, the LTA needs to squeeze what it can out of the current and upcoming crop - and the approach therefore needs to be focused on the individuals as well as creating the right environment. Once we have as many great players as Spain (I wish), then we can take a back seat and let it all happen but, even then, I think a governing body with a bit of cash should have a focus on individual needs.

So, yes, we should be putting more effort into the environment/grass roots side and less into the current players. But that doesn't mean the LTA shouldn't still focus on the current players - and it's right to set itself objectives in respect of that aspect of its activities. Whether or not these targets should be so public and in that form, particularly given the LTA doesn't have 100% control over meeting them, is another matter.

-- Edited by The Hoose at 13:03, 2008-06-30