Murray calls for coaching overhaul after Davis Cup defeat

ANDY Murray has called for an overhaul of tennis coaching in Great Britain after the humiliating Davis Cup defeat to minnows Lithuania.

TIME FOR CHANGE: British number one Andy Murray calls for an overhaul of tennis coaching in Great Britain (Getty Images)

The Scot chose to skip the tie in Vilnius to focus on the first Masters Series tournament of the season in Indian Wells this week, as the British squad managed one singles victory from four matches and slumped to a 3-2 defeat.

Captain John Lloyd has come in for criticism over Great Britain's fifth consecutive loss in the competition with Greg Rusedski, Tim Henman and Murray's coach Miles Maclagan all touted as potential replacements should Lloyd step down.

But Murray blasted the negativity and insisted a change in coaching methods in the country is the only way to turn things round.

The Scot deserted the LTA as a youngster to train at the Sanchez-Casal Academy in Barcelona and suggests the current £40 million National Training Centre in Roehampton is doing more harm than good.

"It wasn't one of British tennis' best days but I'm fed up reading just negative stuff all the time," said Murray, who played in just two of Great Britain's five consecutive defeats.

"Obviously everyone involved is disappointed but there needs to be more constructive things said, people coming forward with ideas of how we can improve.

"We need to have people coaching the young kids who love British tennis and love their country, they can teach them hard work and passion.

"Right now, it's difficult because of the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton. Most of the best young British players, when they get to 15, 16, they go train at the National Tennis Centre.

"If I am a young British coach and I have done a great job with a junior and when they get to 16 they get taken away from me, I don't want to be a coach anymore."

Few could blame Murray for skipping the tie in Vilnius, with 600 ATP ranking points to defend as runner-up in Indian Wells last season.

And the world number four admits he's in relaxed mood ahead of the US hard court season, with the Masters 1000 in Miami also later in March.

"I've had quite a few days practicing and training over here now and I fell well prepared," said Murray.

"I've had enough time to rest and relax and be physically and mentally fresh for the tournament. There's a couple more days before I play so I've got time to iron out a few chinks and hopefully it will be a good tournament.

"This four or five week stretch on the USA hard courts is my favourite on the tour. I've a place in Miami so I enjoy going there.

"But Indian Wells is always a tournament I look forward to as well. It's a relaxing place to play tennis with the warm weather and there's a really good atmosphere here and all the players enjoy it for that reason."

Murray takes on either USA's Robby Ginepri or Italy's Andreas Seppi in the second round at the weekend while Elena Baltacha plays China's Australian Open semi finalist Li Na in the second round of the women's draw on Friday.