LAWN TENNIS Overseas Players Sought For Christchurch Games

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29060, 24 November 1959, Page 17

LAWN TENNIS Overseas Players Sought For Christchurch Games

The six overseas players invited to take part in the Auckland association’s invitation tennis tournament in February, are being sought for matches in Christchurch by the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association’s committee.

The committee has already approached the national association seeking a visit by the six players, including Britain’s top woman. Miss Christine Truman, and the Brazilian, Miss Maria Esther Bueno, but no reply to its letter has been received.

Last evening, after a short discussion, the committee decided to write again to the New Zealand association, and to the Auckland association to ascertain if the players could visit Canterbury if they had time. He understood the players would have two weeks to spare and there might be time for them to come south, said Mr A. M. Hatch. He considered the two women members especially would prove a great draw in Christchurch. There was some discussion on how best the players could be used if they came to Christchurch, but nothing concrete was decided on. Praise For Hartwig Members of the committee were full of praise for the work done by the Australian professional, Rex Hartwig, in the two weeks he spent coaching in Christchurch. A letter will be sent to him expressing the Canterbury association’s gratitude for what he had

done for tennis in the province, and also to the sports firm which was instrumental in arranging his visit. “The only thing was that we wanted him for two months not two weeks,” said Mr Hatch. The chairman (Mr G. E. R. Atkinson) reported that the association would have to bear only the small financial loss of £2 10s on the visit. Representative Matches After receiving letters .from Otago and South Canterbury, the committee decided upon February 13 for its match against Otago at Dunedin and January 30 for its match against South Canterbury at Timaru. The West Coast association will now be offered the alternative dates of February 13 or 20 for its fixture against Canterbury. Condition of Courts Concern at the lack of rain and the manner in which the dry weather was affecting the grass courts at Wilding Park was expressed by several members. It was reported that it had not been possible to roll the courts and that they were beginning to powder and crumble.

Later, during g discussion of the report of the Wilding Park committee, the desirability of changing the baselines frequently to avoid crumbling, was mentioned, but this was said to be impracticable at present because of the lack of space and the type of net posts used.