Professionals Disappointed

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29251, 8 July 1960, Page 20

Professionals Disappointed

(N.Z. Press MELBOURNE, July 7. The rejection of open tennis tournaments has pleased the president of the Australian Lawn Tennis Association (Mr N. Strange). Comr mentrng on the decision of the International Lawn Tennis Federation today, he said: •*I fee) that open tournaments would be detrimental to amateur tennis. I want to make it clear, though, that I have nothing against the professionals, neither has my council. We are quite willing to cooperate with them in other ways.” The professionals, K. Rosewall and L. Hoad, said today they were disappointed with the decision. “It is very disappointing and a big surprise to me.” Rosewall said. “I expected open tournaments would be okayed They would help tennis in general. There have been fewer people at amateur and professional tournaments recently than a tew years ago.” Jack Kramer, the professional tennis promoter, who had hoped to move his “circus” into the big national championships, admitted that he was disappointed by the decision on open tennis. “There’s not much I can do.” Kramer said. ”I’ll just continue with my programme with redoubled effort. I notice that the leading tennis nations voted for it.”