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A group of former tennis champions have urged Bermuda's talented young tennis players to develop a consistent work ethic in order to make the most of their abilities.

Fifteen of the island's best young players were at the Fairmont Southampton court on Wednesday for a coaching session with multiple grand slam winner Roy Emerson, doubles specialist Ross Case, former XL champ Mikael Pernfors, Aussie ace Mark Philippoussis and others.

Pernfors said he was impressed with the quality of some of the tennis.

The Swede who has been involved with similar programmes in previous years, said: “I see a lot of talent.

“A lot of them do things correctly to a certain point. Part of the problem with kids everywhere is that they don't work consistently enough on the basics of the game.

“With this group there is talent, good technique and good attitude. In previous years some of them have been more interested in talking to their friends.

“As they get older they need to get more disciplined with their training.”

Pernfors, who won the first XL Capital open, said he was enjoying being back at one of his favourite events.

Former Wimbledon and Australian Open doubles champion Ross Case, who was also on the court with the youngsters agreed that it was a case of adding discipline to the obvious talent for the players to excel.

“You've got to work hard and you've got to enjoy it, that's the most important thing. If you don't enjoy it then you won't put the work in.”[[In-content Ad]]

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