Petchey: Brits are rubbish!

Ian Flanagan was one of three British tennis players described as "rubbish" after crashing out in the first round of the Wimbledon qualifying tournament.

The 22-year-old, who shocked Mark Philippoussis at Queen's, was thrashed 6-1, 6-0 by Israel's Andy Ram at Roehampton.

Flanagan was quickly followed out of the competition by Yorkshire's Andrew Banks and Welshman Chris Lewis.

Mark Petchey, the Lawn Tennis Association men's manager of national training, said: "They were rubbish. They had a chance to prove themselves and failed. The players have to hold up their hands and show more commitment and a better attitude. There are no excuses and it's going to be a long haul."

Flanagan, whose interest in the event lasted only 39 minutes, complained of a stomach bug, adding: "To pull out would have been a cop-out. I came out not feeling good and I didn't feel I was in the contest, but he (Ram) played well."

The Nottingham-based player rejected the chance to play in the all-British wildcard play-off competition last week to focus on his challenge at Queen's and will now miss out on Wimbledon. He remains disappointed that the All England Club did not give him credit for the Philippoussis win and grant him a wildcard anyway. Flanagan said: "I thought I had a good shot at a wildcard but I will keep fighting and hope to get there on merit next year."