A rising British star handed a ‘wildcard’ for this year’s Wimbledon says the lack of official funding for junior players is stymying the search for new home-grown talent.

Jay Clarke, the 19-year-old British No 5, said the lack of official funding for juniors has made it difficult for British youngsters to compete in big tournaments and afford professional trainers.

Clarke began receiving funding from the LTA as part of its Player Pathway programme when he turned 18, but before that he had to rely on coaching from family members and donations from friends to allow him to pursue his dream of reaching the highest level of the sport.

Following a series of strong results Clarke was last week given a Wimbledon wildcard for the championships by the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), along with fellow Britons Liam Broady, Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, Katy Dunne, Naomi Broady, Gabriella Taylor and Katie Swan.

He told The Sunday Telegraph that the sport’s pool of talent is being limited because young players from poorer backgrounds still find it harder to fund their progress into the higher levels of the game.

Clarke said: “Tennis is obviously a very wealthy sport and without the sponsor I have now I wouldn't be playing. Without having a lot of money you can play to a certain level, but to actually take it seriously you need a lot of money. That's why it's not a big sport in this country.