TRADE GRIP ON TENNIS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21975, 26 December 1936, Page 5

TRADE GRIP ON TENNIS

♦ CONCERN IN AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION MAY TAKE ACTION There is a feeling that the manufacturing sporting houses are exerting a too powerful influence on Australian tennis, and it is likely that the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia will take some steps to meet the position, states H. A. de Lacy, in the Melbourne “Sporting Globe.” Commenting on the absence of Jack Crawford and Vivian McGrath from the Victorian championships, the Australian president. Mr Norman Brookes, said that he thought leading players owed something to the state associations and that they should support the championships. “Mr Brookes suggested that the Australian association might be able iO help the state associations in this matter. particularly to nrevent the clash of exhibition matches and minor tournaments with the major championships. In withdrawing from the Victorian titles, Crawford said that he needed rest. But Crawford may play in minor championships in New South Wales.” continues the writer. “I was told by a personal friend of Vivian McGrath, who has been a migrant almost since he was 15 years, tha' Vivian desired to spend more time in his parents’ home this season. Australia has ask n d a lot of McGrath, who is now only 20. “The absence of leading players from state tournaments (taking a view wider than the present circumstances in Melbourne) has been the cause of considerable discussion. Control of Players “It has been suggested that ball manufacturers have controlled the activities of these men. There is a continual competition for the adoption of balls at the various tournaments. and it is beyond question that in many instances leading players in the employ of sporting houses have undertaken exhibition matches in return for an adoption. • “The practice has been general 1 througho it Australia for the last few years and each manufacturing house has its troupe of players available for its needs. There is little to take exception to in this. The leading players go to lh<? country, where patrons are shown a grade of tennis that, to them, is an education. Gate receipts help the club pron.oting the tournament. The ball manufacturer does good business , and everyone is satisfied. “However, a change in a ball adoption has meant changed personnels rt state championships. Even a defend--1 ing champion has failed to enter on occasions. During the currency of the championship these men have played in exhibition bouts at which the balls of their employers are used. That is where the rub comes. Firms' Service to Game “There are two ways of looking at the case. The ball manufacturer has 1 his side, and it is a good one. They are employing all our leading players. , both men and women. They allow them time off to practise. They retain them on their pay roll while engaged 1 even in overseas tournaments and Davis Cup ties. “Naturally they feel they are en- ' titled to some return, for without their assistance our best men would have to seek either other avenues of em- ■ ployment in which their tennis oppor--5 tunities would be limited, or would • have to turn to outright professionalism. A player’s' livelihood must be considered, and the associations ex-

pect a great deal of sacrifice in this regard from a player. “Here is the danger, however. Ir. their keenness to obtain business and adoptions the ball manufacturers must not be allowed to coerce state associations. Ball adoptions must be decided by a committee on the merits of the balls themselves. There can be only one control of the game. That is vested in the national and state associations. “No ball manufacturer must be allowed to say to an association. “Either you adopt our ball or —7- will not appear at your championship.” Australian Complaint Only “That, many consider, is where the control of players is trending. A player’s reasons for not appearing at a championship must be accepted, but the Lawn Tennis Association of Australi. might devise a way of preventing him taking part in trade exhibitions during the currency of the championship. “At least four brands of ball of championship standard are made in Australia. The adoptions in the past have been fairly evenly distributed, but. have slightly favoured one house. Of more recent date, and this season in particular, adoptions have swung away from this house to another. “The rules governing amateur players abroad are slightly different from those obtaining here. In the United States amateur players are not allowed to associate their names with sporting houses. In England players are not allowed to play in tournaments where the balls adopted are the product of a sporting house with which they are associated, an exception being made in major tournaments. (J the Continent it is open country for the ball manufacturer, and the strongest influence is brought to bear or. associations by sporting houses.” TENNIS RACQUET RESTRINGS Better Restrings make better play. Complete Rcstrings 7s 6d. 12s 6d. 235. and 30% Single Strings 9d each. Same day service! Country clients post your racquets. THE TENNIS SHOP. Armagh street and Hereford Court. ’Phone 31-432. 83247-2