The Failure of British Tennis

by Austin Kelley

In the runup to Wimbledon, which began Monday, British television audiences have been treated to a commercial from the soft-drink maker Robinsons that depicts an unthinkable future — one in which a homegrown player wins the tournament. No British man has captured the singles title at the All-England Club since Fred Perry in 1936. The last British woman to win was Virginia Wade 32 years ago.

“It will happen again,” a voiceover proclaims, “and we’ll be proud to be a part of it.”