Copyright © 2016. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

Judy Murray has announced her resignation as Britain’s Fed Cup captain after four year in the post and in doing so, strongly criticized the format of the competition, maintaining it is in “desperate need” of change.

The most prominent female coach in British tennis and mother of world singles no.2 Andy Murray and Australian Open doubles champion Jamie, said the main reason for her resignation was a desire to spend more time with her family and in particular newly born grand-daughter Sophia.

Plus the 56 year-old wants to focus on her grassroots programs ‘Tennis on the Road’ and ‘Miss-Hits’. . Tennis on the Road is aimed at building a delivery workforce across Scotland in order to grow participation, while Miss Hits is a fun starter program for girls age 5-8 that can be delivered by female coaches and teachers.

However, Murray cannot deny her frustration has grown since succeeding Nigel Sears as British captain and that would appear to tie in with the unavailability of two of Britain’s three leading women players in Britain’s last Fed Cup tie in February’s Euro/Africa Zone in Eilat, Israel.

Johanna Konta maintained she was suffering from an intestinal problem in the aftermath of her run to the Australian Open semi-finals when Britain won two rubbers but lost to Belgium with a place in the World Group II play-offs at stake.

Naomi Broady has never made herself available for British selection as a result of a long-standing feud between her father and the Lawn Tennis Association, dating back to the administration of former chief executive Roger Draper.

Following the loss to the Belgians, Murray did not hide her frustration, saying: “I’m fed up with it. Everybody wants to get out of this zone. The format doesn’t really lend itself to building any momentum for women’s team tennis if you play four days in February and then you don’t play again until the following February.”

Now Murray says: “The Fed Cup format is in desperate need of a revamp. Team competition engages players and fans much more than individual events.

“It’s crucial we use this global competition as a means of attracting and retaining girls in competitive tennis at every level. That requires more countries to have the opportunity of playing home and away ties so we can showcase our sport. The GB team has been stuck in the 16-team Euro-Africa Zone for an eternity.”

Murray added: “The Fed Cup should be leading the way in promoting and showcasing competitive women’s team tennis at all levels and in all countries. Things have got to change.

“Everyone can see the buzz created around the home ties and team tennis at all stages of the Davis Cup.? Fed Cup should be afforded a similar format.”

Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association chief executive, Michael Downey commented: “British Tennis and our players have been fortunate in having a captain possessing Judy’s unique tennis knowledge, passion for the game, and sense of fun steering our Fed Cup campaign for the last five years.

“No doubt she has left an indelible mark on all the players she has worked with on the team, the support staff and inspiring other GB female coaches along that journey. On behalf of British Tennis, I would also like to personally thank Judy for her commitment.”

Downey has almost a year to find a successor well before the British Fed Cup team’s next outing in February 2017.

Copyright © 2016. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.