Tour veteran Wayne Ferreira criticised the dire state of tennis in South Africa on Tuesday and offered his help to try and salvage the game in his home country.
Ferreira said while he was enjoying competing without pressure in the twilight of his career, he was concerned about what would happen to South African tennis once he and compatriot Amanda Coetzer retired.
He said tennis in South Africa was suffering from lack of money and exposure and could take decades to rebuild.
”It’s very bad the situation, it’s terrible … all the kids are moving on to the cricket, the rugby and even the soccer just because it’s easier, there’s more going for them and a better future for them,” he told reporters. ”It’s such a shame.”
Ferreira (32) praised South African administrators for putting in-house feuding behind them but said the game still needed sponsorships and backing in his homeland.
”It’s going to take a long time and a lot of money,” he said.
”You’re going to have to start from the 10- and 12-year-olds and try to work them up to be good players — I don’t even know if it’s possible.”
Ferreira, who runs a trust fund to help pay the travel costs of young South African players, said he wanted to be part of the rebuilding process.
”Right now it couldn’t be worse so in the future it could be quite exciting to try and be a part of something that could regrow the whole game of tennis in South Africa,” he said.
Coetzer was more optimistic, saying tennis’ fortunes had improved slightly in South Africa in recent years and the country’s strong currency made it more likely sponsors would put money into the game.
”There’s a great juniors circuit, it’s not like people aren’t playing, there’s a lot of talent, tennis is definitely not on the decline, it’s a popular sport,” she said.
”I really think if we can get some satellites, if people can just get their foot in the door it would help a lot.”
Ferreira had not decided if 2004 would be his final year, saying he was having more fun than the pressure-laden early years after he turned professional in 1989 and believed he could beat anyone on his day.
”It’s great, when I was younger and I was seeded pretty high, there were always these guys that you considered a dangerous floater who you didn’t really want to play,” he said. ”I think I’m one of those now, it’s kind of nice.”
He said he would contest all four Grand Slams in 2004. Ferreira, who has built a reputation as one of the men’s tour’s great survivors, defeated James Blake of the United States 6-2, 6-4 in the first round of the Sydney International, a lead-up event for next week’s Australian Open.
Coetzer won Tuesday’s next match on centre court, beating Swiss Patty Schnyder, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0. – Sapa-AFP