Behind the glitz and the glamour of tennis’ most high-profile events, lies the real truth engulfing many in their attempted rise to the top.

Just as retired former British number twos Jamie Baker and Josh Goodall found out, money is hard to come by if you are not a mover and shaker within the game’s top 100 players.

Despite both bizarrely hitting a career high ranking of 184 during their relatively short tennis occupations, the pair both took the decision to leave the sport for pastures new.

That’s why Gosling Tennis Academy product Lucy Brown is looking for ways to volley her money problems away.

The former U16 National Doubles champion, who once graced Wimbledon alongside Laura Robson, has been cursed with injuries in the past couple of years, distrupting her playing schedule.

Now languishing outside the world’s top 1000 ranked ladies (1050 to be exact), Brown has innovatively created her own website to try and create funds in which to continue.

Having teamed up with Pledge Sports, a company dedicated to helping sportsman and women raise money for their individual and team enterprises, the 22-year-old’s idea is gathering speed.

For various levels of donations, Brown is offering such things as a signed visor (£50), a one-hour playing session for up to three people (£150) or even for £1000, brands to be permanently embroidered on her playing gear as sponsorship.

Two donations totalling £400 have already been handed over to Brown, as she looks to embark on this year’s grass court season.

Brown said: ““As you probably know though, tennis is a very expensive sport that requires travelling to plenty of tournaments around the world.

“I do my best to support myself as much as possible, and have done for the past two years, however, to enable me to play the amount of tournaments necessary to further my career I really need that extra support.

“My main aim to is play at the grand slams but without financial help, it just isn’t possible for most outside the top players.”

Brown has turned to an online animal psychology course as a fallback should her tennis career not come to fruition.

She continued: “It helps to take your mind away from the tennis court because tennis is a six-day-a-week job so when things aren’t going your way it can be quite stressful.”