How Low Can Team GB Go in Tennis and the Davis Cup?

As British tennis continues to stumble from one Davis Cup defeat to another, one inadequate reserve to the next, the responsibility lies with the LTA.

For all the tireless work behind the scenes and all the targets, systems, initiatives, and incentives, Great Britain still had to give an international debut to a player who proved to be out of his depth.  

In his two matches, Josh Goodall failed to take a set off either the world No. 227 or the world No. 398 (hardly world-class opposition).

The 4-1 defeat by Ukraine, to confirm a relegation playoff battle later in the year against lowly Poland, wasn't only Josh Goodall's fault. He is the British No. 2, the best we had.

Roger Draper is the boss of British tennis, the guy who believes things are getting better. He has to take the heat from everyone once more, as evidence shows that at the highest levels things aren't going to plan.

British tennis gets a rare outing on TV at Davis Cup time and, to the tennis-watching public, the sport looks in turmoil. This was a third successive defeat in the competition and, with Andy Murray (Britain's No. 1) absent, the rookies came up well short.

The cameras had gone by the time Chris Eaton won the final point on a third set tie-break to avoid the dreaded whitewash, but it was a meaningless consolation.

British players have everything they could wish for: an amazing practice facility up in Roehampton, access to some world class coaches, a state-of-the-art medical and fitness department, and a fat cheque from the governing body.

The most memorable quote from the weekend came from Goodall after his match. Speaking of his hesitance to change tactics during the first match, he said: "It's difficult to think clearly when it's your debut."

I could understand where he was coming from, but clear thinking under pressure is a fundamental requirement for success in professional sport. In this situation, I would like to refer to Eminem, who once said: "You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow, this opportunity comes once in a lifetime..."