LTA chief Draper ready for frank exchange with MPs and peers

BRITISH tennis chief Roger Draper will go before a panel of MP's and peers today to defend his record as Lawn Tennis Association chief executive - a private meeting that you could sell top dollar tickets to attend.

UNDER-FIRE: LTA chief executive Roger Draper can expect a tough grilling from MPs and Peers in Westminster today

Draper can expect some frank opinions from members of the All-Party Parliamentary Tennis Group, following Great Britain's humiliating Davis Cup loss - their fifth in a row - to Lithuania last week.

Baroness Billingham and her members will also want Draper to justify how his organisation spends the £27 million it receives in public funding for grassroots projects.

And they might also be keen to enquire what they do with the millions the All England Club gifts them every year from the profits of Wimbledon and their headline sponsorship deal with financial services provided Aegon.

Salaries, bonuses and pay-offs for departed high-profile staff - such as Andy Murray's former coach Brad Gilbert and women's tennis chief Carl Maes - will also be on their agenda.

The All-Party Group - all committed tennis fans, who know their sport - were asked to investigate the LTA by Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe - and have been busy taking evidence from some of Draper's biggest critics, such as former Murray coach Mark Petchey.

Draper is spinning his grilling as a ‘frank exchange of views' and he is sure to claim that while performances in the Davis Cup - and the concerning lack of depth beneath Murray in the men's game - is a worry, there are encouraging signs elsewhere.

Laura Robson and Heather Watson's emergence is a key positive, as is the undoubted progress being made in the women's game, with Elena Baltacha up to a career high ranking of world number 62, following her recent successes at Indian Wells.

Draper will also be asked about who will replace John Lloyd, who quit as Davis Cup captain following the Lithuania defeat.

He is sure to dodge that question by claiming a consultation with players and coaching staff is ongoing - with the next match not scheduled until they play Turkey in July.

Former US Open finalist Greg Rusedski remains the bookmakers favourite but may not be the smart money choice.

Murray, while taking an agreed sabbatical from Davis Cup duty, will be top of Draper's call list and he has a lukewarm relationship with his former team-mate.

Last year - during the build-up to the ATP World Tour Final in London - the British number one reacted angrily to suggestions by pundits he should play more aggressively.

"Who are these 'experts'?" he asked, rhetorically. "Barry Cowan? Greg Rusedski? I think I know more about tennis than Barry and Greg."

Draper has also hinted a big-name appointment might not be the  correct direction for the LTA, highlighting the cause of some of the coaches coming through the system at the National Tennis Centre at Roehampton.

UPDATED: LTA criticised by MPs and peers in letter to Sports Minister

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