The Wimbledon tennis championships begin today, but with no English male players in the competition for the first time in the slam's history.

Wimbledon chief executive Ian Ritchie says the absence of top male players from England is "a reflection as a matter of fact about the calibre in the ranking of the players".

"All of us want to see a better improvement," he told sports presenter Garry Richardson.

When asked why the organisation was not putting pressure on the Lawn Tennis Association to produce top players, Mr Ritchie responded, "there is a recognition that we do what we do and they do what they do, and we keep that sort of demarkation."

Get in touch with Today via email , Twitter or Facebook or text us on 84844.