He shares his name with a Wimbledon legend and has beaten the likes of Henri Laconte in his time on the professional circuit.

But Whetstone's Harvey Becker is out to prove an even bigger hit after opening up his very own tennis club.

Already a successful coach, Becker has steered some of Britain's brightest prospects, such as Luke Milligan, onto the road of professional tennis and is hopeful of uncovering further talent in Barnet.

"We want to turn the club into a David Lloyd centre for the masses," explained Mr Becker. "We want to make tennis affordable and sociable for people of all ages and abilities.

"Tennis can be such an expensive sport and it should be available to as many people as possible."

The Harvey Becker Tennis Club, in Rowley Lane, Arkley, has been set up by the Rowley Lane Recreational Trust, a charitable non profit-making organisation which aims to provide quality sports facilities for the community.

As well as setting up the tennis club, the trust has also funded a nine-hole golf course, staging two open days, as well as free golf clinics run by resident professional Antony Wolfson.

The site also has a bowling green, four football pitches and a cricket square, all set in a 45-acre site.

Mr Becker, 43, who used to play for Chandos Tennis Club in Whetstone, was approached by the trust to set up the tennis club and will play a key role in organising a number of open days and coaching sessions.

"I went into coaching after I stopped playing," added Mr Becker. "I still play in veterans’ tournaments but I always wanted to run my own tennis club.

"When the trust approached me, I was delighted. We have got some top quality facilities.

"It has cost hundreds of thousands of pounds and we have three grass courts and three hard courts."

A tennis academy is high on the club's list of priorities and Mr Becker is hopeful some of the borough's tennis talent can progress through to elite status.

There are also plans to work with schools and to provide tennis for underprivileged children.

The club is staging an open day on July 12 between 10am and 12.30pm.

If you would like further information, or would like to book a place, call Lisa Solomons at The Harvey Becker Tennis Club on 020 8441 6051 or Mr Becker on 07984 876098.