FUTURE Tim Henmans and Greg Rusedskis could soon be training for Wimbledon at a new £2 million centre in Birchwood - just ask the former "bad boy" of tennis.

Top international star Ilie Nastase flew in from Poland to give his backing to new and improved facilities at Birchwood High School and perform the official opening ceremony.

Hard work by the school and borough council is behind the development, with the school raising £138,000 and £1.7 million coming courtesy of the National Lottery.

The centre, shared by the public and Birchwood pupils, boasts indoor and outdoor courts, an aerobics studio, gym and a massive sports hall, also used for school assemblies.

Tennis ace Ilie told the GUARDIAN: "This is a great centre - I wish we had one like it in Romania.

"Maybe Wimbledon should take a look at it, they've got really small dressing rooms!"

He added: "It's better to start playing when you are young because at 16 and 17 it's too late."

The renowned former 'bad boy' of tennis kept crowds amused on and off court as he won 57 singles titles and was ranked world number one in 1973. But he never won Britain's favourite championship at Wimbledon.

He recalled: "I was in the final twice and lost to Bjorn Borg and Stan Smith. It was difficult for me because I only started to play Wimbledon when I was 20. But I don't regret not winning it."

He says that there is no secret formula for creating the tennis stars of tomorrow.

"It doesn't just affect Britain," he said, "it is lots of countries, we don't know why. You can have a good programme but nothing can happen.

"In countries such as the United States, tennis is in schools and universities so they have a better chance of getting a good tennis player one day."

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