AUSTRALIA'S next Samantha Stosur or Lleyton Hewitt could be denied a chance to shine, said Carss Park tennis coach Kerry Dock.
Mr Dock believes a lack of undercover and clay courts is preventing St George and Sutherland Shire players from reaching their peak.
Wet weather has also affected junior player development, as many youngsters will not train in the rain.
Mr Dock said young players deserved better facilities.
"In my opinion, we need at least two clay courts at our academy if we are going to produce a Stosur or Hewitt," he said.
"All the best players in the world now grew up on clay."
Mr Dock hopes an increased emphasis on sport in St George could help curb antisocial behaviour and improve social health.
His Tennis Blast Academy asked Kogarah Council for support in building a large tennis complex on public land.
The council refused a broad proposal from Mr Dock and Tennis NSW for the establishment of a major tennis complex at Carss Bush Park, Carss Park or Parkside Drive Reserve, Kogarah Bay.
The centre was estimated to cost about $2 million and involved the construction of a dozen courts.
Mr Dock's next application is likely to be much smaller, at a cost of about $500,000.
"We need a minimum of two new courts, preferably clay, [plus] light cover over two courts that allows training in wet weather," he said.
"This would be a first stage approach . . . as a desperate measure."
Should there be more under/clay courts in the area?
