No Brits in second round as Watson laments lack of support

British tennis is at a low, according to Heather Watson after her 7-6(4) 6-4 defeat to Fiona Ferro at Roland Garros.

There are now no Brits in the second round of the tournament.

Andy Murray, Johanna Konta, Dan Evans, Cameron Norrie and Liam Broady have all departed.

“I don’t really see who’s next. I don’t see who’s going to be top 50,” Watson, 28, said.

Photo: Roger Parker

The LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) is charged with nurturing young British talented through the system with its academies in England and Scotland but Watson says that is not enough.

“I think personally that more players need to get help rather than just helping your selected players – I don’t know how many there are, but a handful of players,” she said.

“I feel like there needs to be a bigger pool of support. That way you’re not spoiled and not given everything at a young age.

“You need to work for it, learn the grind and hard work of the tour, what it takes. It would give more people the opportunity.”

Peter Rowe

Recent Posts

Nadal goes down in final match

Rafael Nadal lined up for what was to be the final match of his career…

3 days ago

Sinner flattens de Minaur in runaway home start

Jannik Sinner took charge in front of his home crowd on Sunday, crushing ATP Finals…

2 weeks ago

Madcap Medvedev suffers temperamental Turin Finals loss

Daniil Medvedev went into meltdown mode on Sunday during a highly charged 6-4, 6-3 loss, with opponent…

2 weeks ago

Team Sinner considering skipping Monte Carlo

Jannik Sinner could well be missing from the opening European clay event of next season…

2 weeks ago

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

1 month ago

Wimbledon lowers the boom on human linecalling

Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…

1 month ago