Tennis rising star sues David Lloyd after his academy 'sacks' her

A young tennis hopeful is suing British veteran David Lloyd in an attempt to "get her career back on track" after she was allegedly thrown out of his training academy, the High Court heard today.

Yasmin Clarke, 20, who is 17th in the national rankings, claims she was denied the support she needed as a rising star. She is suing for alleged breach of contract and is seeking damages to help fund her professional career.

She met the former Davis Cup captain during Wimbledon in 2006 when she was being trained by her father but was already showing huge promise, the court heard.

She was offered a place at the David Lloyd Training Academy in Redbridge later that year and signed a contract under which she agreed to hand over 20 per cent of her earnings - except for prize money - in the event her career took off.

While there, Miss Clarke, from Peartree, Derby, was provided with accommodation and training from some of the country's finest tennis coaches, including Neville Goodwin, Wayne Black and Tim Henman's former fitness coach, Kieron Vorster.

But the court heard that she left less than a year later when her contract was terminated, allegedly after academy staff were told by trainers at the Lawn Tennis Association's National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, that her father had asked about moving her to play with them instead. Miss Clarke's father, Earol, denies he made any approach.

In a witness statement before the court, she said: "I was a promising young junior British tennis player with the support to help me progress at the highest level. This has all been taken away from me.

"On a daily basis I worry about money and funding my career. There is a greater amount of pressure for me to win, to obtain prize money.

"I can only afford to enter a select number of tournaments each year. I have brought this claim to try to get my career back on track."
She told the court she had "absolutely loved" her time at the academy.

Miss Clarke's claim has been brought against the David Lloyd Group Ltd and David Lloyd Sports Management Ltd, as well as Mr Lloyd himself, all of whom deny liability.

Mr Lloyd, who is expected to give evidence later this week, denies having any involvement in the decision to terminate Miss Clarke's contract. His lawyers say he had only a "very supervisory role" at the academy.

The hearing continues.