Ivanisevic celebrates his title

"Kids are great. You can joke and have fun. They are honest. They don't lie. I like tennis and I like people.

"If I had the opportunity when I was young, I would have loved to play against someone big. It would have been a big help.

"Now I would like to teach the youngsters."

The LTA has welcomed the offer, although any concrete arrangement could be some way off.

"Goran is a great champion and he would always be welcome at the LTA whenever we see him in London or elsewhere," said a spokesman.

The role is similar to one proposed for the Williams sisters that would be aimed at changing the culture of what is often perceived as a middle-class sport.

The LTA are currently investing �10m a year in grass-roots tennis in a bid to increase accessibility for players of all ages to facilities and coaching.

They have already started an inner-city initiative in the London borough of Hackney, with the help of former England footballer Ian Wright, which is attracting interest from other cities around Britain.