Roger Draper has signed a new five-year contract to continue as chief executive of the Lawn Tennis Association.

Formerly chief executive of Sport England, Draper has introduced a series of radical reforms since taking over the role in April 2006.

"We've always said that transforming British tennis is a work in progress," he told Radio 5 Live on Wednesday.

"It's really a seven to 10-year plan and I didn't want to walk away after just two years."

He added: "The most important thing is to continue with plans to keep making steps forward for the long-term [future of British tennis]."

We've spent a lot at the top end of the sport. What we've now got to do is take tennis back to the masses Roger Draper

The LTA is one of the world's wealthiest governing bodies and one of the more controversial aspects of Draper's time to date has been the decision to recruit a number of high-profile coaches.

Brad Gilbert was brought in to work with Andy Murray and, despite dispensing with the American's services last year, the 21-year-old Scot has risen to a current high of four in the world rankings.

Leading British woman Anne Keothavong is also at a career high of 61 in the world, while many hopes rest on 14-year-old Laura Robson, who won this year's junior title at Wimbledon.

606: DEBATE How well is Draper doing two years into his reign as LTA boss?

"We've spent a lot at the top end of the sport," Draper told BBC Sport. "What we've now got to do is take tennis back to the masses.

"The idea is that you fix the top end, you get success here, you get many more people playing and both worlds collide at the same time.

"If Andy wins Wimbledon wouldn't it be great to have the infrastructure in place to cope with that demand?"

Meanwhile, the All England Club and the LTA have agreed a new deal to do with the Wimbledon surplus.

Once the current agreement runs out in August 2013 the LTA will receive 90% of the financial surplus from each year's Wimbledon until at least 2053.

In return the LTA will sell its 50% share of the company which owns the Wimbledon site and facilities.

LTA president Stuart Smith said: "This agreement is fantastic news for all involved in British tennis."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version