LTA's revolution for coaches

Tennis

Britain's coaches have been put on a par with learner drivers. The Lawn Association yesterday announced plans to issue provisional licences to 6,000 coaches, those holding qualifications at intermediate, club, professional or performance award levels, writes John Roberts.

The coaches would have two years to gain the accreditation necessary for a full licence by earning 36 credits from involvement in nine different training options. "We believe this is the most significant step forward for tennis coaches in years," Richard Lewis, the LTA's director of national training and coaching, said yesterday.

David Lloyd, the Davis Cup captain, endorsed the scheme. "This is all about ensuring that coaches stay up to date with modern methods and continue their training after qualifying. This is vital if we are to raise coaching standards across the board," he said.

The High Court in London is expected to rule today whether accusations that Mats Wilander and Karel Novacek tested positive for cocaine during last year's French Open are to be heard in court in May or June, as the players wish, or are to be dealt with by the International Federation's appeals tribunal.

n Mary Joe Fernandez, the defending champion at the State Farm Evert Cup, suffered a surprise third-round defeat at the hands of unseeded Nathalie Tauziat, of France, in Indian Wells, California, yesterday.