McEnroe of little help to me, says Felgate

David Felgate, the new performance director of the Lawn Tennis Association, said he does not believe John McEnroe will be able to help him revive British fortunes.

There had been suggestions that the American wants to help out, but Felgate said he believes the former Wimbledon winner, a BBC pundit at this year's Wimbledon – will not have the level of commitment Felgate feels is necessary.

"It's one thing for people to give their ideas – it's another to be out there working with the players," Felgate said. "McEnroe makes great headlines – but can you imagine, in among his playing and TV commitments, working with a British youngster at Wimbledon and then having to go off and do a TV commentary?

"The most important thing to me is commitment – not your name. There are lots of people out there I can call on. I'm not closing the door on him. I'll sit and talk to him – but I don't think at this stage of his life he's ready to commit to British tennis."

One person Felgate talks to every day is Andre Agassi's former coach, Brad Gilbert. "He is someone with real coaching ability," Felgate said. He loves tennis and I bounce ideas off him."