Have you heard the one about the British tennis player...

Say what you like about British tennis players, but one thing they are is consistent. Consistently crap. Andy Murray aside, British tennis has been nothing short of a shambles for decades and if it wasn’t for the generosity of the Wimbledon wildcard selectors we’d be thin on the ground for Brits at SW19.

British number one Anne Keothavong is the latest British tennis player to face media scrutiny, after balling her sorry little eyes out having lost in the first round again. She was asked by a journalist if she had let a few people down after succumbing to a 2 set to defeat to the average Patricia Mayr 7-5 6-2. Keothavong attempted to answer the question before breaking down in tears and walking out of the Wimbledon Media Center.

Now, some have said asking a 25 year old woman if she has let people down is downright harsh, but is it? Is it really that harsh to pose the question? Perhaps there lies part of the problem with the overall mentality of one that if she’s tried her best then that’s all we can ask for. Let’s not forget that Keothavong and the other 8 British first round losers will pick up £10,750 for falling at the first hurdle.

Another player enjoying the SW19 gravy train is one Alex Bogdanovic, who for the 8th year running has been handed a Wimbledon wildcard only to lose in the 1st round every single time. Bogdanovic has picked up a staggering £75,830 in prize money over the course of 8 Wimbledon Championships.

Why A-Bog has been given so many Wimbledon opportunities is anyone’s guess. The case for giving wildcards to British players to generate interest in the competition is obviously a valid one, but when so many Brits consistently fail in the first round it begs the question if they deserve to be given a place at all?

Here’s to And Murray restoring some much-needed pride.