BEDENE IS A BRIT OF A PROBLEM FOR LTA

ONE OF the reasons Aljaz Bedene was so well received as a tennis player in Great Britain was that his love for his adopted country seemed genuine.

He lived here, he paid taxes here, and appeared committed to remaining in Britain for the rest of his life.

When it was considered possible that he would represent Britain in the 2015 Davis Cup final, many were genuinely torn about his inclusion. He seemed the antithesis of the athletes who have used Britain as a flag of convenience.

International Tennis Federation rules mean Bedene will never be eligible for the Davis Cup as he previously represented Slovenia in the competition, but he did gain British citizenship and is promoted by the Lawn Tennis Association as one of their own.

This is ticking off Dan Evans. Evans says that having received citizenship, Bedene now lives in Slovenia. And if that is the case, he has a point.

It was Bedene’s commitment to Britain that made him an exception. If what he sought all along were the greater profile and robust earnings that come from being a British player, his motivations could be perceived as purely cynical.

‘ It looks like we are desperate for an extra player, which I don’t think is right,’ said Evans. ‘The LTA are paying for him to be British.’

Evans, who recently lost his No 3 British ranking to Bedene, will no doubt be accused of sour grapes, but he is correct.

The strong line taken by the ITF over the Davis Cup is rare in modern sport and the LTA should at least respect that.

If Bedene no longer wishes to be part of British life, he does not merit British funding.