Unlike many entrepreneurs David Lloyd did not cut his teeth in blue chip corporate law or by chancing blindly through boom and bust experimentation. Lloyd’s uncompromising apprenticeship began as a teenager, the first minute he stepped on court as a professional tennis player. Without the comfort of private funding or sponsorship, winning matches meant a comfortable bed and the chance to move up a rung. Losses often meant no food or money to go onto the next tournament. With this sort of grounding, David Lloyd’s reputation as a dogged competitor saw him compete at the highest level for 17 years. His reputation on the circuit as a tough competitor earned him respect on whatever surface or stage of the draw, he was the one you didn’t want to meet if you wanted a quick kill. Victories over legendary players including Ilie Nastase and Jimmy Connors capped many thrilling Wimbledon doubles encounters, partnered by his brother John. Their heroic late evening encounters endeared the brothers to the British public and paved the way for a resurgence in British tennis. Lloyd reserved the pinnacle of his on-court achievement, however, for what he still believes to be the most important tennis of any player’s career, representing team and country in the highly charged atmosphere of the Davis Cup.

Driven by Lloyd's immense determination and 'never say die' resilience, the 1978 Davis Cup squad became our first world final for 35 years. Ironically, Britain didn’t regain such stature in the game’s most important team event until Lloyd was appointed Captain almost 17 years later.