Annacone, once the coach of seven-time Wimbledon champion Peter Sampras, is confident that a recent overhaul of the coaching system can reap amazing results within the next five years.

The only Briton currently ranked in the world's top 20 is Andy Murray, who is currently 10th, and Tim Henman is the only other home player even in the top 100.

But in an interview to be aired on BBC Radio Five Live tonight  Annacone said: "At 2012 I hope there are four to seven players knocking on the door of the top 20.

"Behind that I hope there will be more players ready to springboard into the elite level of the pro ranks."

Given the influx of top coaches into the country since Roger Draper's appointment as the LTA's chief executive last year, Henman has backed Annacone's claim and insists there is no reason why Britain should not take its place among the world's elite tennis nations.

"There are absolutely no excuses now," Henman said.

"There are plenty of other countries that can produce players without these facilities and without the backing from their federations.

"The responsibility still lies with the players themselves but they have everything they need.

"There's a new standard that's been set and if you don't come up to that standard, you're not going to be invited back and that's the way it's got to be."