Bar raised for Brits at Wimbledon

The Lawn Tennis Association have confirmed plans to restrict Wimbledon wild card entries for British players.

Any man who has received three in his career will not get another unless he hauls his ranking inside the world’s top 150.

That affects players such as Arvind Parmar and Jamie Delgado, who will either have to battle up the rankings or win a qualifying competition because they have already used up their allocation.

The move is a response to critics who say the wild card system rewards failure with the first-round losers in the men’s competition last summer earning almost £7,000 (€10,000).

“We’re raising the bar once more,” Lawn Tennis Association performance director David Felgate told BBC Sport Online.

“I do think, at that time of year, players have sat back and thought of their Wimbledon wild-card. They won’t be able to do that anymore.”

British players will still get wild cards but only if they are in the men’s top 300 or women’s top 250.

Those just emerging out of the junior ranks will get special consideration.

The only other way into the All England championships will be through a play-off system which will double as pre-qualifying.

The winner will be guaranteed a place in the Wimbledon main draw, there will be nominal prize money.

“The players know where they stand today,” Felgate added.

“They’ve had the letter and it’s crystal clear. If you don’t get inside that ranking you don’t get nominated. If you’re outside of it, go and play the play-offs.”