Title: LTA Unveils New Team
Description: From BBC Tennis
Description: From BBC Tennis
trisco - November 30, 2006 03:42 PM (GMT)
Annacone part of new LTA set-up
Paul Annacone is one of a number of high-profile appointments announced by the Lawn Tennis Association.
The American, who has coached Tim Henman for three years, will spend 20 weeks of the year supporting new head of men's tennis, Paul Hutchins.
Belgian Carl Maes, who has coached Kim Clijsters, is the new women's tennis chief, working alongside Nigel Sears.
The LTA announced a total of seven appointments on Thursday as part of its new 'Tennis Leadership Team'.
Former Davis Cup captain Hutchins gets the key position in charge of the men's game, but will be able to call on Americans Annacone and Brad Gilbert to "create a new 'winning' culture both with our players and coaches".
Gilbert was taken on by the LTA in July to work with British number one Andy Murray, as well as "other projects".
Peter Lundgren, who has worked with Roger Federer and Marat Safin, then joined the Great Britain team as Davis Cup coach last month before LTA chief executive Roger Draper unveiled a blueprint for the future of British tennis.
And, following "an extensive worldwide search" that caused much debate in the tennis world, the LTA has now revealed the team it hopes can turn around the sport in the UK.
"We asked for 'world-class' and that is what we have. The real job starts now for the team," said Draper.
Draper admitted Annacone had been in contention for the position of head of men's tennis, but family commitments meant that was not possible.
"We would have loved Paul Annacone to live here full-time, but we have the best of both worlds," said Draper.
"We didn't want him to be sat behind a desk looking at structures; we wanted him out on the court doing what he does best."
And Draper denied that it was a backward step to appoint Hutchins, who was heavily involved with the LTA until 1987.
"I don't think it is," Draper told Five Live.
"A big part of Paul Hutchins' role is to get the system and the organisation in place and make sure the investments are going in the right areas."
Maes has arguably the toughest job in tackling the desperate situation in women's tennis - the highest ranked British woman is Anne Keothavong at number 144.
"Carl is one of the most experienced and respected women's coaches in the world," said an LTA statement.
"One of Carl's most successful roles was as personal coach to Kim Clijsters and his time at the Belgium Tennis Federation where they have seen a regular flow of players getting into the top 100 over the last 15 years."
Maes will be supported by head coach Sears, a former coach to top players Daniela Hantuchova, Amanda Coetzer and Barbara Schett.
Paul Annacone is one of a number of high-profile appointments announced by the Lawn Tennis Association.
The American, who has coached Tim Henman for three years, will spend 20 weeks of the year supporting new head of men's tennis, Paul Hutchins.
Belgian Carl Maes, who has coached Kim Clijsters, is the new women's tennis chief, working alongside Nigel Sears.
The LTA announced a total of seven appointments on Thursday as part of its new 'Tennis Leadership Team'.
Former Davis Cup captain Hutchins gets the key position in charge of the men's game, but will be able to call on Americans Annacone and Brad Gilbert to "create a new 'winning' culture both with our players and coaches".
Gilbert was taken on by the LTA in July to work with British number one Andy Murray, as well as "other projects".
Peter Lundgren, who has worked with Roger Federer and Marat Safin, then joined the Great Britain team as Davis Cup coach last month before LTA chief executive Roger Draper unveiled a blueprint for the future of British tennis.
And, following "an extensive worldwide search" that caused much debate in the tennis world, the LTA has now revealed the team it hopes can turn around the sport in the UK.
"We asked for 'world-class' and that is what we have. The real job starts now for the team," said Draper.
Draper admitted Annacone had been in contention for the position of head of men's tennis, but family commitments meant that was not possible.
"We would have loved Paul Annacone to live here full-time, but we have the best of both worlds," said Draper.
"We didn't want him to be sat behind a desk looking at structures; we wanted him out on the court doing what he does best."
And Draper denied that it was a backward step to appoint Hutchins, who was heavily involved with the LTA until 1987.
"I don't think it is," Draper told Five Live.
"A big part of Paul Hutchins' role is to get the system and the organisation in place and make sure the investments are going in the right areas."
Maes has arguably the toughest job in tackling the desperate situation in women's tennis - the highest ranked British woman is Anne Keothavong at number 144.
"Carl is one of the most experienced and respected women's coaches in the world," said an LTA statement.
"One of Carl's most successful roles was as personal coach to Kim Clijsters and his time at the Belgium Tennis Federation where they have seen a regular flow of players getting into the top 100 over the last 15 years."
Maes will be supported by head coach Sears, a former coach to top players Daniela Hantuchova, Amanda Coetzer and Barbara Schett.