Tennis / Australian Open: Delgado and Baily give Britain cause for encouragement

JAMES BAILY was taken aback when asked for his autograph on Court Six here at the Australian Open the other day, writes John Roberts. 'I'm not famous yet,' he said. True, but the novelty of British players advancing to the last four of a Grand Slam championship - albeit at junior level - is bound to attract attention.

Baily, 18 next month, and Jamie Delgado, a 15-year-old whose progress has been closely monitored since he won the Under-14 Orange Bowl title in Florida towards the end of 1991, have gained valuable experience - on the court and off - while picking their way through the boys' event. Sharing a locker room with the world's leading players has been as much a part of their education as competing against their international peers. 'You're in there before they play their matches, and can see how they prepare,' Baily said. 'Jim Courier, for example, closes his eyes and just sits for a while, slapping his legs.' 'Yes,' Delgado added, 'Courier just sits there and won't talk to anyone. With him, it's total concentration. Other players go round and have a chat. It's interesting, but you can't copy them, because what they do might not work for you.'

Delgado, a product of the David Lloyd Slater Squad, was brought up in Tenerife and moved to England when he was 10. He has been working with Stephen Shaw, the former British tour player, for 18 months. Baily, from the Hampshire village of Curdridge, between Portsmouth and Southampton, has been coached by Shaw for eight months after leaving the Lawn Tennis Association Rover Scheme at Bisham Abbey. As a schoolboy, he played cricket for Hampshire and was the national discus champion.

Both players left school to pursue a career on the courts. They have developed a camaraderie since they began travelling together to tournaments. 'It's nice just to have the two of you,' Baily said, 'as long as you get on. If Jamie wins in the first round, you feel you must win, and so on.' 'We work as a team,' Delgado said. 'We practise together, and when we play I try to encourage him, and he tries to encourage me.'

When in England, Baily consults a sport psychologist, Elma Thomas. 'She advises me how I should feel at different stages of a match, so that I don't get nervous or too pumped up,' he said.

Delgado described his first visit to the Australian Open as 'a big learning experience'. He said: 'Two weeks ago I was struggling. I've had two weeks at home since October, and I was feeling homesick. I was missing my family and friends, and I just had a feeling that I wanted it to end. Now I'm glad I came.' So, too, is Shaw. 'The progress the boys have made here is kind of a pay-back for all the hard work. I'm not surprised they've got so far.'

While these fledgling steps must be treated with a sense of proportion, British tennis needs every sign of encouragement that comes its way.

(Photographs omitted)