The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has apologised for failing to protect children after a former professional player turned coach was jailed for sexually abusing a teenage girl. Daniel Sanders, 42, from Wrexham, was sentenced to six years in prison in July after admitting eight counts of sexual activity with a child.
Sanders, who once played doubles with Tim Henman and retired from professional tennis in 1996, began coaching in Wrexham before moving to Merriott, Somerset. The abuse occurred over a six-month period, with the judge stating that Sanders had 'taken advantage' of the victim.
The LTA, the sport's governing body in the UK, has launched an independent inquiry into the case and the operations of Wrexham Tennis Centre. A spokesman said: 'Nothing is more important to us than the safety of children who play tennis. Creating a secure, respectful environment for those in our sport is our top priority.'
The spokesman added: 'We have always been committed to having the best safeguarding procedures possible, but in this case the actions we took were not enough, and we apologise sincerely for the impact on all those affected.' The inquiry will examine lessons for the sport and its findings will be published.
