Fleming steps into GB breach to take on Fed Cup coaching role
Colin Fleming, the former Davis Cup player and sometime doubles partner of Andy Murray, was yesterday confirmed as the new coach of Great Britain’s Fed Cup team.
Fleming will take over in time for the zonal stage of next year’s Fed Cup, to be staged in Bath from Feb 6-9, which will be the first major women’s team event to be hosted in this country since 1993.
There was a late switch of appointment a fortnight ago, after Nick Cavaday, who now heads up the new National Academy programme at Loughborough University – withdrew at the last minute, deciding that he would be overstretched by performing both roles.
The change of plan meant that the nine players attending a Fed Cup planning event a fortnight ago arrived to discover that their captain, Anne Keothavong, was present, but not the man who had been expected to coach them.
After Fleming stepped in, Keothavong said yesterday: “I have spoken to the players about him and I have had a positive response. As a former ATP top-20 doubles player, Colin has plenty of experience at the top end of the game.”
Meanwhile, Iain Bates, of the Lawn Tennis Association coaching team, has been confirmed as the new head of women’s tennis. He replaces Jeremy Bates, who will now spend 60 per cent of his time coaching Katie Boulter, the world No 98.
And The Daily Telegraph understands that the LTA has been told by the All England Club that the Wimbledon surplus will rise after two years of reduced subsidy, caused by investment in the No1 Court roof. The LTA received £33million last year, down from £37 million.