I’ve been forced to comment on why the recent brouhaha (one of my favorite words) over Great Britain losing to Lithuania in their recent Davis Cup tie has consumed media on both sides of the Atlantic.
Yes, it’s a great win for the small Baltic nation and, the way I see it, a mild loss for Great Britain, but why are the British and now American tennis sports press covering it the same way they would if someone had tried to shoot the Queen of England?
Since Great Britain lost 3-2 to Lithuania, phrases such as “national tragedy” and “a full investigation must occur” have been exclaimed by all the major U.K. press. Not that the U.K. press isn’t known for sensationalizing, but why is Britain’s tennis woes suddenly almost a matter of national security?
Of course everybody wants John Lloyd gone as Davis Cup captain but the race to replace him has become almost as exciting as an episode of X Factor with the usual rumors and backstage name calling. Greg Rusedski (wasn’t he a Canadian first) threw his hat into the ring while Tim Henman, and I think wisely, has said no thanks. Now Andy Murray (who could have prevented all of this by simply playing for his team) has stated that the players should have a say in who is the coach. Why doesn’t the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) just hire his mother, Judy Murray? She seems to be the only one over there with a real idea of how to coach a champion.
Nick Bollettieri, the great tennis coach, who by the way currently mentors Lithuanian No.1, Ricardas Berankis, said, and I’d have to agree with him, that the U.K. is by and large “not a tennis nation.” He says,
“Sure, you stage the most prestigious event in the world, Wimbledon. But your national sports are soccer and cricket and your Olympic resources go to cycling, rowing, sailing, swimming, all sports at which you excel at or are improving in. Tennis is part of a social scene. So to argue that Roger Draper (Chief Executive of the LTA) is responsible for British tennis’s ills is to misidentify the problem. If you’d had generations of grand slam winners and they’d disappeared, then seek blame.”
Bollettieri also correctly cites the fact the Great Britain, population-wise, has about the correct number of top players in the ATP as it should. And he also cites the continuing success of its female players in the WTA.
It’s not like other nations haven’t got their own Davis Cup woes for the media to obsess over what with Australia still dealing with its on national intrigue with Tennis Australia again and the U.S. debating the continued role of current Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe. But do you see either the U.S. or Australia going into utter fits over it? No.
My response to all this? Great Britain and LTA, get a grip. And to the U.K. press, find something else better to raise hell about.
Read Andy Murray’s thoughts here.
Read Nick Bollettieri’s thoughts here.
No related posts.
Comments on this entry are closed.