Ellie‑Rose Griffiths left school at nine to train full‑time, rose through the British junior ranks and played alongside Katie Boulter, Emma Raducanu and Harriet Dart before quitting at 19 due to burnout. She now blames the relentless pressure from parents, recalling shouting matches on court and police calls at Sutton Coldfield Tennis Club.

Coaches Chris Johnson and Steve Whelan warn that the LTA’s performance pathway pushes children into competition from age eight, turning rating points into a race for parental approval. In 2018 the governing body revised its system so national rankings only begin at under‑11, hoping to curb early stress. Yet many families still spend £1,000 a week on coaching, travel and fees.

The culture of treating junior players as commodities fuels anxiety for both child and parent. Former prodigy Todd Ley describes a ‘breakfast‑to‑bedtime’ regime that left him hating the sport, while Emma Raducanu admitted her own parents were “so pushy”. With the LTA set to launch a Fair Play programme, the tennis world now faces a test of whether parental conduct can finally shift from control to support.