THE chief topic of conversation in the press room this week – even the international section – is what can be done about the state of British tennis.

All will be forgotten once Wimbledon is over of course, but I’d advocate two changes that could be implemented straight away.

First, I’d slash the LTA’s funding to Britain’s tennis clubs, which tend to be social clubs as much as sporting institutions, and reinvest the money in providing much better facilities and coaches for the nation’s state schools.

At the moment, far too much money is wasted on private facilities that are perfectly capable of standing on their own two feet, and that are entitled to jeopardise the development of youngsters by making them subordinate to the needs of their adult members.

Second, I’d abolish the system of handing out wildcards to British players.

Of the 11 players that competed in this year’s singles tournaments, only two qualified by right. So while it was disappointing to see nine players fall at the first hurdle, it should hardly have been a surprise.

British players should have to enter the qualifying competition like everybody else. It would harden them to the demands of grasscourt competition, eradicate the unrealistic expectations that accompany them when they play at Wimbledon, and remove the safety blanket of a guaranteed £10,000 cheque that appears to be doing more harm than good.

It might mean only two British players in next year’s singles draw, but at least it would mean two British players with a chance of winning a couple of matches.

ROGER Federer is generally happy to chat about anything with the media, but the Swiss maestro has fallen unusually silent whenever the subject of his impending fatherhood has been raised this week.

His wife, Mirka, is heavily pregnant, and there are rumours that the baby is due next week. The speculation increased when Mirka was unusually absent as Federer disposed of Guillermo Garcia-Lopez on Wednesday.

It is far from certain what will happen if Federer becomes a father before the end of the tournament, but plenty of British tennis writers are hoping that the birth takes place locally in the next eight days.

Imagine what that might do for Britain’s Davis Cup team in 20 years time.

A NUMBER of players are keeping their supporters updated via Twitter, and the news hasn’t always been good.

Hours after losing a tight five-setter to Marian Cilic on Wednesday night, American Sam Querrey posted the following: “Not a good night. Just been struck by a drunk vagrant”.

Ouch.

RADIO Wimbledon broadcasts within a fourmile radius of the venue, and it’s Did You Know feature has become required early-morning listening.

Yesterday featured an interview with BBC weatherman John Kettley, in which he revealed that his ringtone is the 1988 novelty hit ‘John Kettley Is A Weatherman’.

Presumably, it’s just in case he forgets and starts reading the news instead.