Julie Pullin, the former British No. 1 from Hove, believes Martina Navratilova has got it wrong in her criticism of British women's tennis.

Navratilova has hit out at coaching methods in Britain and claims she would never have reached the top if she had been raised here.

The American, who has received the Lifetime Achievement award at the BBC Sports Personality Awards, said: "I've been asking some questions and the opportunities are not as equal for girls as the boys.

"If you try and make everybody look the same way and play the same way then you are going to lose people. I would never have made it under that system.

"They are just trying to do it one way. You just have to have the right kind of player and not coach them in only one way."

But Pullin, setting up a coaching academy after quitting the tour, said: "I never felt the boys got more opportunities than the girls.

"If I did well I got the help. We are coaching in a way that enables players to handle the game the way it is played now.

"When Martina was at the top, with her serve and volley style, the game was more varied."