Tim Henman has predicted a bleak future for British tennis and had harsh words for some of his underachieiving compatriots.

The British number one, who is recovering from injury, watched from London as Great Britain lost their Davis Cup tie in Australia.

Youngsters Alex Bogdanovic and Alan Mackin stepped in to face Australia and were, as expected, soundly beaten.

And Henman believes there is little sign of an improvement in fortunes as he and Greg Rusedski near the end of their careers.

The opportunity is there for players, and it's up to them to take that opportunity Roger Taylor

"This is a premonition," Henman told The Times newspaper.

"This is a look into the future when Greg and I aren't around five years down the line - if British tennis doesn't pull its finger out."

And the world number 11 has a new take on why British tennis is in such a desperate state, a view shared by Davis Cup captain Roger Taylor.

"You talk to the Lawn Tennis Association and they blame the facilities, they blame the coaches," said Henman.

"I think we don't point the finger enough at the players.

"There are plenty of them in the last five, 10, 15, 20 years that haven't maximised their ability and potential.

"How good could Arvind Parmar be? He's probably around 150 now.

"If he could get to 100 and Martin Lee could get to 75 - if everyone could make that small improvement.

"Let's face it, not everyone has the ability to be top 25 but I still think we should get more out of the players."

Taylor agrees that it is up to the players to take matters into their own hands if they want to improve their lowly world rankings.

"A coach can't always make it work for the player.

"A coach can go with him and help him, but the player has to go out and do it. The opportunity is there for him.

"We have good programmes in Britain; we have good systems; the opportunity is there for players, and it's up to them to take that opportunity."