Seven consecutive singles defeats in Davis Cup saw the 25-year-old ostracised by former captain John Lloyd, although Smith insists the door is now open, while the LTA indicated he would no longer be considered for a Wimbledon wild card.

But, as currently the only man who would qualify for a wild card under the LTA's system of recommending anyone in the top 250, Martens not only hinted at a change of heart but also singled out Bogdanovic as something to aspire to.

Martens, who joined the LTA in 2006 and took up his current role two years ago, and Smith have been talking to current and former players in an effort to develop a strategy to reverse the slump.

The Belgian has identified two trends: British players giving up the game in their early 20s and the age at which players reach their peak increasing. And he believes it is this that must be addressed.

Martens said: "How come we don't have more men who are of the age of Boggo still playing? You can't look back one, two, three years - you can almost look back four, five, six years. What happened over that period of time?"

He continued: "The ages that people get into the top 100 are getting older and older. The average age of players is continuously moving up. It's almost 27 now.

"I think there are around 10 guys in the top 100 over 30 so it takes longer and longer before you get the younger players (coming through)."

Martens believes the lack of financial rewards on the British Tour or at smaller ITF events mean coaching is a more attractive alternative for players if they do not make rapid strides up the rankings.

So he is proposing rewarding players for victories to allow them to keep playing while also ensuring they have low-cost facilities to train at and the right coaches to support them.

He continued: "If you make that transition from a junior player, it may take another three, four, five, six years before you financially become independent.

"For many people, that becomes a very long journey. If we as a governing body are not supporting them directly, there are no sponsors around to support them, then they stop and go into coaching because it's a more safe and simple alternative."

Smith insisted it is not an example of British players having it too easy, adding: "We don't want to give handouts - we want people getting that hunger, belief, desire to win - so we do that by incentivising winning."

Martens also pleaded for patience for Britain's teenage players, like Daniel Smethurst, Dan Evans, Daniel Cox and Marcus Willis, as they attempt to climb the rankings.

"If you are at the ranking they are, they are on schedule or way ahead of schedule," said Martens. "If you look at the number of teenagers, the highest ranked player is (France's) Guillaume Rufin (at 145).

"There's only two or three teenagers in the top 200. That's reality. It's the transition from boys to men. They are boys. We have to give them time."

the odd thing is that I'm pretty sure Martens was he decision maker on Alex having his funding cut, yet 5 months later he comes out with this!!!