Published: Thursday, 25th June, 2009 1:49pm

Former bad boy tipped for top

by Jonathan Kelly

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AS BRITAIN looks to Andy Murray to become the first British Wimbledon champion in 73 years, a potential star of the tennis world has earned the praise of top coaches.

Wokingham-based teenager and former badboy Marcus Willis has drawn compliments from Great Britain"s Davis Cup captain John Lloyd after the youngster became one of only two Brits to win a match in the Wimbledon qualifying event in Roehampton.

Mr Lloyd said: 'Players mature at different times and at the moment the likes of Marcus Willis have not matured as quickly as their European counterparts.

'But he has different abilities and is actually much better than his rankings show.

'A lot of our players are as frustrated as we are in terms of being able to show their talent, but I think there"s more to Marcus"s ability.'

Marcus, 18, currently ranked number 818 in the world, reached the third round of Junior Wimbledon 12 months ago and after his Roehampton showing there are high hopes for the Slough-born teenager.

Mr Lloyd said: 'This will be a big year for him and this part of the season in particular.

'I hope, and think, we will see a huge jump from him.

'Then the next job that needs to be done around him is to ensure he keeps up with the hard work so he can keep progressing.'

Marcus, who went to Forest School and played tennis at Cantley Park, was sent home in disgrace from the Australian Open in January 2008 after leaving his rackets at the hotel, being late for training, missing a bus and disappearing for several hours.

On Monday last week he

triumphed 7-6, 7-6 against world number 183 Amer Delic, before crashing out against Italian Andrea Stoppini.

In order to speed up the development of British youngsters, the country"s former number one Jeremy Bates has called on the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to overhaul its structure.

He said: 'There is still a massive amount of work to be done in British tennis from juniors to those making the jump up to the senior side of things and beyond, there really is.'

'I think we have to train the juniors in a way that they understand what it requires to be a success in tennis - you need to be committed and be professionally dedicated.

'I know some are but it is hard because Andy Murray has been such a success - but I think he was born a great player, as was Tim Henman.'