The French Open & British Tennis

[Fader]

So the last few days has signalled the start of the French Open at Roland Garros and were already down to our last British hope in Heather Watson who is literally starting her first round match as I type.

Now I love tennis both watching and playing when the chance arises but what is happening with British Tennis hopefully someone more knowledgeable can tell me. Are the facilities really there for kids to get into the sport properly sure there's courts at local parks to have a knock at but what about proper access to clubs and coaching that doesn't cost a bomb. It does come across still as a game for those with money and stature to get into from certain points of view.

Plus what is going on with training the youngsters that can get into the game we hardly see any British players with the odd exception like Murray doing anything of note. The French seem to be starting to churn more out now and have a great programme where youngsters actually stay in dormitories at Roland Garros and get fully funded training, to the point during an interview the other day Jim Courier said the US were starting to follow the French model and setting up similar things at centres across the country.

Are we still stuck in the Wimbledon pomp way of have to wear all white and conform to the establishments lay out rather than modernising and trying to attract fresh blood to the sport.

Anyway Novac looked in impressive form yesterday and Nadal seems to be returning to form after a long lay off hoping he can make it 8 wins the guys a beast.

 

[Birchy]

From when i was at school about 12-15 years ago tennis was a sport which seemed really hard to get into. I do have an interest in Tennis and enjoy watching it etc but never got the chance to play it as a youngster. Its probably a harder sport to get into properly than golf imo. You could have a knock on the street etc but there was no real facilities nearby to play properly and the nearest ones cost a bomb at the time.

I have seen more tennis courts at sports facilities in recent times but rarely do i see anybody playing on then.

 

[Foxholer]

Bleeding Nay-sayers!!! You guys are probably what's really wrong with British Tennis which, at least in the Women's game has indications that is in the best shape it has been for a long time! Back in World section of Federation Cup with a more players with solid world rankings than for a long time.

The fact that this question only arises at this points demonstrates the apathy about Tennis that exists for 9 months of the year.

Men's game is likely to have a boost too, with Murray finally achieving that goal of a Major, but is probably in lower overall shape - but with potential.

British Tennis will never be at the heights it was at the beginning of the 20th Century, purely because there are so many more players in other countries. There are also just not enough high level training facilities around the country to produce the bulk of solid players from which some stars will emerge.

 

[In_The_Rough]

Lot of it is down to the fact that it is a sport that is just simply not that popular in this country. Lots of other sports are far more supported and participated like Football,Golf,Cricket,Rugby both League and Union. I personally do not know anyone that is the slightest bit interested in Tennis add in the fact that the climate here is pants so most facilities will need to be indoor and it is never going to be that well followed. Granted the usual crowds appear at Wimbledon probably fair weather supporters who promptly disapear until the following year.

 

[Captainron]

Nadal to win both for my cash.

My mate played county tennis for years and the cost and travel are pretty horrific. He went through a racquet in a month, restringing in a couple of days and new shoes every 2 weeks. Tennis can be more expensive than golf at amateur level.

Playing all year round that adds up to a load of money and time for the kid and the parents.

 

[birdieman]

For most of us tennis is a moderate interest sport for just 2 weeks a year, can't see that changing. It's a very one dimensional game made worse by the serve and volley game now being defunct, even on grass due to technology changes.
Don't mind it myself and played a little as a youngster but will only watch it occassionally and even then the prospect of sitting through 5 sets is fairly intolerable, I suspect I'm not alone on this. Probably one of those sports that is better to play than to watch.

Why UK tennis remains way behind is a mystery but does anyone really care?

Sweden used to produce great player after great player but that seems to have ended, maybe the Borg inspiration just died away.