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Michael Downey: 'Hunger for success key to future of British tennis' Michael Downey: 'Hunger for success key to future of British tennis'
(about 5 hours later)
Michael Downey, the Canadian entrusted with the immediate and long-term future of British tennis, is keen to bury the dependency culture that many think handcuffed the game in this country until the arrival of Andy Murray, as well as instil more "hunger" in domestic players and coaches. Michael Downey, the Canadian entrusted with the immediate and long-term future of British tennis, is keen to bury the dependency culture that many think handcuffed the game in this country until the arrival of Andy Murray, as well as to instil more "hunger" in domestic players and coaches.
"Whether this is working with third-party operators, or whatever," said the new chief executive of the Lawn Tennis Association, "we have to let the talent exceed expectations. The discussion will involve taking no prisoners. We have to find what is in the best interest of a player.""Whether this is working with third-party operators, or whatever," said the new chief executive of the Lawn Tennis Association, "we have to let the talent exceed expectations. The discussion will involve taking no prisoners. We have to find what is in the best interest of a player."
This is so markedly at odds with the previous administration of Roger Draper as to constitute a minor revolution. Whether or not the new regime can take the game to another level with the impetus of Murray's achievements over the past two years remains in the realm of speculation, however, given the slim playing resources.This is so markedly at odds with the previous administration of Roger Draper as to constitute a minor revolution. Whether or not the new regime can take the game to another level with the impetus of Murray's achievements over the past two years remains in the realm of speculation, however, given the slim playing resources.
Murray, ranked No8 in the world and recuperating ahead of his return to the Tour in Madrid on 3 May, stands alone at the top of British tennis, with Dan Evans and James Ward distant partners in an adventure rich in hope and low on expectation.Murray, ranked No8 in the world and recuperating ahead of his return to the Tour in Madrid on 3 May, stands alone at the top of British tennis, with Dan Evans and James Ward distant partners in an adventure rich in hope and low on expectation.
Although the Great Britain team reached the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup before losing to Italy in Naples last month, the widespread sentiment is that there is precious little depth in the game here.Although the Great Britain team reached the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup before losing to Italy in Naples last month, the widespread sentiment is that there is precious little depth in the game here.
"Does the average coach know what it takes?" Downey asked. "Does the average prospect really knows what it takes? We need to make them hungrier. We are competing with countries where it's about getting to a better life and that provides a different level of fight. We do have a lot of talent out there. We have to let the talent exceed expectations.""Does the average coach know what it takes?" Downey asked. "Does the average prospect really knows what it takes? We need to make them hungrier. We are competing with countries where it's about getting to a better life and that provides a different level of fight. We do have a lot of talent out there. We have to let the talent exceed expectations."
He was quick to point out that the training arrangement his fellow-Canadian and long-time British representative Greg Rusedski has formed with the rising prospect Kyle Edmund could be the way forward, although it is unclear if Rusedski's media commitments will impinge on his input.He was quick to point out that the training arrangement his fellow-Canadian and long-time British representative Greg Rusedski has formed with the rising prospect Kyle Edmund could be the way forward, although it is unclear if Rusedski's media commitments will impinge on his input.
"He's stepped over the line," said Downey, welcoming Rusedski's move, "but I don't want to count the days.""He's stepped over the line," said Downey, welcoming Rusedski's move, "but I don't want to count the days."
Murray famously did not lean on the resources of the LTA, choosing to develop his game as a teenager on the clay of Spain alongside his friend and rival Rafael Nadal. Pointedly, Downey was sharing his thoughts in Nadal's favourite west London restaurant.Murray famously did not lean on the resources of the LTA, choosing to develop his game as a teenager on the clay of Spain alongside his friend and rival Rafael Nadal. Pointedly, Downey was sharing his thoughts in Nadal's favourite west London restaurant.
If he is to make a worthwhile impact, Downey seems to have the early confidence of those who employed him. He spoke glowingly about the Canadian talent that rose through the ranks during his time there – Milos Raonic – but he faces an entirely different challenge now. If he is to make a worthwhile impact, Downey seems to have the early confidence of those who employed him. He spoke glowingly about the Canadian talent that rose through the ranks during his time there – Milos Raonic and, latterly, Eugenie Bouchard – but he faces an entirely different challenge now.
It is Downey's task to convince his new audience that his strategy of handing responsibility back to the players is the right one. He has a perfect example in Murray – although he concedes that the player's busy schedule has so far prevented him from indulging in a dialogue that might be useful to British tennis.It is Downey's task to convince his new audience that his strategy of handing responsibility back to the players is the right one. He has a perfect example in Murray – although he concedes that the player's busy schedule has so far prevented him from indulging in a dialogue that might be useful to British tennis.
"I met him in Naples during the Davis Cup," Downey said, "but I would like to talk to him again about what he thinks. He has so much to offer the game.""I met him in Naples during the Davis Cup," Downey said, "but I would like to talk to him again about what he thinks. He has so much to offer the game."
He also has a marketable brand name and while Downey insists there is no issue over intellectual property rights, it would be encouraging to see a few more images of the Scot plastered all over buses and hoardings when tennis begins to encroach on the national consciousness again this summer.He also has a marketable brand name and while Downey insists there is no issue over intellectual property rights, it would be encouraging to see a few more images of the Scot plastered all over buses and hoardings when tennis begins to encroach on the national consciousness again this summer.