Lawn Tennis Association chief Roger Draper says that Nigel Sears' decision to leave the organization to coach Ana Ivanovic will not put it in crisis. Sears was the head of women’s tennis and is partially credited with the improved play of teens Laura Robson and Heather Watson. The LTA also recently lost player director Steven Martens.
"We're really sad to lose Nigel because he's a great guy, a great coach and he's brought a lot,’ Draper told the Guardian. "But people come and go and you move on. What we try to do is adjust and strengthen the team where possible. Nigel's left an unbelievable legacy behind to build on, but that doesn't mean it's all going to collapse like a heap of cards. I know we get a lot of knocks, but we've got some hugely talented people working across the LTA…Nigel's heart has always been in day-to-day coaching. It's a great opportunity for him. He wanted one last crack at the Tour."