HOAD MAY TURN PROFESSIONAL

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27801, 28 October 1955, Page 7

HOAD MAY TURN PROFESSIONAL

TALKS WITH KRAMER IN SYDNEY (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY, October 27. It is now regarded as almost certain that the Australian Davis Cup star, Lewis Hoad, will turn professional. The American tennis promoter. Jack Kramer, who arrived in Sydney yesterday, conferred with Hoad’s parents, the Australian Davis Cup captain, Mr Hany Hopman. and Adrian Quist, a director of Dunlop’s, which employs Hoad. Hoad will fly to Sydney from Melbourne today to confer with his parents and Kramer. Before Kramer arrived in Australia, Hoad said in Melbourne that he wanted a guarantee of at least £30,000 with an increased percentage of the tour takings. Kramer said j*csterday that £30.000 would not ’’scare” him. Hoad and Rosewail previously rejected Kramer's offer of £20,000. In Brisbane last night Ken Rosewall said he was not interested in any new offers from Kramer. Mr Alan - Hoaci, father of Lewis Hoad, revealed that his son had signed an agreement in America te turn professional, subject to his parents* approval. It was not a contract and it carried no weight without his parents* consent.

PROFESSIONALS’ VISIT NEGOTIATIONS WITH SEDGMAN Further negotiations will be made by the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association with the Australian professional. Frank Sedgman, about the date and terms for a visit to Christchurch for exhibition matches. The management committee decided at its meeting last evening that it would write to Sedgman suggesting a match on November 30. A statement to that effect was made by the chairman (Mr W. A. Clothier) after the committee had discussed a letter from Sedgman, dates und terms for almost an hour in committe*:. Sedgn.an’s party, which was originally engaged hy the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association but which will now play in various other centres, also' includes Ken McGregor. Dinny Pails, and. lan Ayre. At first negotiations were for them to appear at Wilding Park in November, but later, after a letter from Sedgman, the date was put back. The association which has discussed the arrangements in committee at two meetings will now await a reply from Sedgman.

REPRESENTATIVE BLAZER RECOMMENDATIONS ON CHANGE A recommendation that the Canterbury representative lawn tennis blazer be black with a small red band around the lower part of each sleeve and a monogram including the Canterbury coat-of-arms with "Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association" written on a scroll undeneath, was made to the management committee of the association last evening. It was made in a report presented by Mr M. C. Healey on behalf of the selectors, Messrs Healey and A. B. McCallum and Dr. B. R. Penfold. The present blazer is a cream one with a monogram of crossed rackets and the letters "C.T.L.A.” The selectors proposed a black blazer with a monogram that meant a player was a representative. Mr Healey said. Nobody wanted the Canterbury blazer at the present time because nobody liked it. "We want a blazer big enough and strong enough so that players will want to wear it. We also want a serviceable colour.” Mr G. E. R. Atkinson said he thought the cream blazer was the answer, because players turned out in cream socks, shoes, shorts, and shirts. Mr Healey: You can wash your shirt, shorts, and socks, but you can’t put a cream blazer in the washing machine. Dark colours are better. The players who wefre likely to wear the blazer should be asked for their opinions before a decision was made, said Mr J. K. Burtt. A committee with some women on it could investigate. Members: No. That’s where we made the mistake before. Mr Healey said those entitled to wear the blazer should be the president of the association; any person who had done outstanding work for the association; players who had taken part in Wilding Shield or Nunneley Casket matches once: players who had represented Canterbury against other provinces three tirqes; and a Canterbury!player who had won a provincial singiei title. The blazer could be paid for by the association and the monogram by the player.

The committee decided it would defer the matter for a decision to be presented to delegates.

SLAZENGER AND HOWE SHIELDS The Canterbury junior boys’ tennis team will play Nelson at Nelson in this year's draw for the Slazenger Shield. The junior girls’ team will play Nelson at Christchurch for the Howe Shield. This draw for group four of the competition was received by the management committee of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association last evening from the New Zealand association. The letter from the New Zealand association said that neither the West Coast nor Marlborough, the other members of the group, had entered this year. Both competitions had to be completed by December 17. The association of the named centre for play should select the dates and get in touch with the other association. If dates could not be agreed on the New Zealand association would name Thursday, December 8. and Friday, December

Mr A. M. Hatch said the boys went to Nelson last year and the Nelson boys should really come to Christchurch. However. the girls were away twice last year so the arrangement was satisfactory.

CLUB OPENINGS REPRESENTATION OF ASSOCIATION The management committee of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association will write to the South Brighton Club apologising that a representative of the committee was not at the club’s opening day to present the senior reserve shield. In a letter to the committee, the club expressed disappointment that its president (Mr G. E. R. Atkinson) had been left to present the shield to his own club, although he is a member of the management committee. It was felt that the clubs that had won cups or shields should have been considered first, even though many clubs were opening on the same day. The chairman (Mr W. A. Clothier) said there were about 14 or 15 clubs holding openings on the same day, which was also the day of a Ranfurly Shield match. It was difficult for the committee to be represented at each. Mr E. Biddle said there was added difficulty when members of the committee also desired, to attend the openings of their own clubs. The committee decided to write to. the club saying that it regretted the matter and that a representative would he available to present shields in the future.