Tennis faces cash-cut

British tennis will lose millions of pounds in Government funding unless it does more to attract players from all sections of society.

Sports Minister Richard Caborn says the Lawn Tennis Association must make a greater effort to entice youngsters from poorer areas or ethnic minorities.

He claims the LTA's system means Britain can forget unearthing the next Venus or Serena Williams, from innercity Los Angeles, and has warned funds will depend on efforts to improve the situation.

At stake is the grant of £9.4million currently earmarked for tennis over the next three years.

Caborn said: "The LTA is not as good as it should be. There are youngsters with the talent out there but we do not have a system to identify them and let them turn professional. That depends on a good club infrastructure.

"What we want is to increase participation and the way to do that is in partnership with governing bodies, clubs and schools.

"We can help the sports with funding but they need to be creative and attract people from across the spectrum."