Draper says Henman is the victim of a "spiral of negativity"

Roger Draper says Henman's reputation has suffered because of a "spiral of negativity" surrounding British tennis.

A frustrated Draper told Five Live Sport: "It really riles me when people say 'When is Tim going to make it?'

"Behind Steve Redgrave, Tim has probably been our most outstanding sports person over the last 10 years."

Interview: LTA chief executive Roger Draper

Draper, who was appointed in February, was quick to highlight Henman's record as a player.

The 31-year-old has yet to win a Grand Slam, although he has reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon (1998, 2001 and 2002), the French Open (2004) and US Open (2004).

Draper also heaped praise on Greg Rusedski and said both the Canadian-born left-hander and Henman had carried British hopes with distinction.

If Roger wants to know about British tennis I'm sure myself and the other British girls can give him plenty of ideas Anne Keothavong British women's number one

"They have won 30 tour events over the last decade yet they are still perceived as losers," said Draper.

Draper's chief goal is to raise the profile of British tennis and improve performances after years of underachievement.

"We need to get some confidence and self belief back in the sport," he said.

But he warned: "We are going to taking a tougher line with our players. We are not going to be funding mediocrity."

British women's number one Anne Keothavong has urged Draper to "come and listen" to the players in order to achieve his goals.

Keothavong, 22, crashed out of the Eastbourne International on Tuesday, losing 6-1 6-3 to Vera Duchevina.

Her exit followed the defeat on Monday of Britain's only other participant in the main draw, Katie O'Brien, and the failure of four other home players to get past the first round of the qualifying event.

Keothavong, world ranked 145th, revealed she had not even met Draper since his appointment.

"If Roger wants to know about British tennis I'm sure myself and the other British girls can give him plenty of ideas but I haven't spoken to him yet," said Keothavong.

With Britain's number two Elena Baltacha out for the rest of the year after a back operation earlier this month, Keothavong is certain to be the main flag carrier in her sixth Wimbledon appearance next week.

However, she faces the prospect of meeting a much-higher ranked player with the aid of a wild-card from the LTA.