In 2006, Ireland was voted the country with the highest standard of living in the world. A wonderful feat for a nation which has completely transformed itself since gaining its independence only 90 years ago.

In my mere 22 years on this planet, I have seen my little country transform itself from the fields and greenery that people would expect, to a fast-moving, bustling, wealthy economy that helped us reach this prestigious fate!

Growing up, of course we were exposed to many sports; Gaelic football, hurling, rugby and soccer were all regulars. As far back as I remember, I recall following tennis - and tennis was Wimbledon. That's it. In my youth, the only available tournament to watch on television was Wimbledon; other Grand Slams got mere mentions on the news. Time hasn't really changed much. The only way you can follow tournaments other than Wimbledon is if you are fortunate enough to have digital TV or via the Internet.

'Similarly to England's problem, young Irish players have the facilities and the money but not the desire, the fight and the determination like we are seeing from the Eastern Europeans'


Even if you didn't follow tennis, it was always obvious when it was Wimbledon time - the tennis courts would be packed with young kids playing. Even now the younger generation rent the latest tennis video games!

So what does this have to do with producing world-class players? A lot really. Young children need to be inspired to play a sport  - usually they see their idols and want to sculpt themselves into emulating. Usually these idols would come from similar backgrounds to them; this helps with the dream that they, too, could be just like them.

In Ireland, you have a lot young people who are playing rugby and soccer because we have world-class teams (although due to recent results this can be argued). Not many people follow tennis because, simply, we don't have a player to cheer; we lack a person to inspire us to pick up a racket and get out there.

But it wasn't always like this, you see. It may be surprising to some that Ireland did indeed produce some Grand Slam champions - Joshua Pim won Wimbledon in 1893 and 1894 and Lena Rice in 1890. The only thing is that neither of these players are recognised as Irish because at the time Ireland was under British rule.

Upon reflection, I can make excuses for why we cannot produce a world-class player - but in truth, I believe that due to this new-found economy growth, young players are having everything spoon-fed for them. Similarly to England's problem, they have the facilities and the money but not the desire, the fight and the determination like we are seeing from the Eastern Europeans.

The answer? Maybe a smack in the face, a wake-up call, and make them realise how lucky they are!