Southend-based wheelchair tennis player Jamie Robinson is calling for a change in the funding of the sport after losing in the second round of last week's British Open in Nottingham.

Ranked number three in Britain and number 63 globally, Robinson lost 6-4, 6-1 to the world number one Robin Ammerlaan.

But a lack of finances have hit the 32-year-old's hopes of success hard.

"I was fairly pleased with my performance against Ammerlaan," he explained

"I took five games off him and you always learn little things against players of that quality which you take into the next match you have with them.

"That was only my fifth singles match of the year though as I simply can't afford financially to compete in many of the championships.

"Last year I was able to make it to six of the tennis tournaments.

"But there are people inside the top 20 who compete in at least 25 competitions a year and that's the difference."

At present, Robinson has to take unpaid leave from his role as junior coach at the Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre to even take part in the tournaments.

"Work have been great for me and it does help being able to use their facilities," he said.

"But there should be some kind of system where any company who employs an International athlete should be reimbursed in some way to allow the person to compete more regularly."

Anyone interested in helping Jamie through sponsorship, so he can continue climbing the tennis rankings, can contact him via the Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre, in Eastern Avenue, on 01702 613000.

Published Friday July 30, 2004

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