Naiktha Bains requests to change her allegiance to Great Britain

The 21-year-old Leeds-born player has told the Women's Tennis Association and the International Tennis Federation of her desire to change playing nationality and compete as a British player in the future.

Bains lived in Britain until the age of eight before her family moved to Australia. It is understood the move has been undertaken completely independently of the Lawn Tennis Association.

Bains' ranking would make her the British No 6. She won the Mildura Grand International in March of this year to boost her ranking.

"It feels good to win my first $25,000 (ITF World Tennis Tour event)," Bains said at the time.

"I won a $15,000 a couple of years ago, but to do it on the grass, which is probably my favourite surface, is really nice. I also won the nationals (in Mildura) eight years ago to the day, so it's a really nice feeling to do that here on the (Australian) Pro Tour."