PROFESSIONALS COACHING AT WILDING PARK

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29401, 31 December 1960, Page 7

PROFESSIONALS COACHING AT WILDING PARK

Four of Canterbury’s most promising younger lawn tennis players, A. Brooks, J. Cullington, P. Boatwood and D. Blackburn, were the grateful recipients of some unexpected coaching at Wilding Park yesterday afternoon. Giving the instructions were the visiting professional players Barry Mackay, Andres Gimeno and Earl Buchholz.

Gimeno and Buchholz, who arrived in Christchurch on Thursday evening, were joined at Wilding Park by Mackay, who came down from Wellington. After the courts had dried out sufficiently, they gave coaching and had some much-needed practice. Brooks rallied with Mackay for a considerable period, and the young Christchurch leflt-hander impressed with his ability to keep the ball in play. The professionals are -to be commended upon their willingness to spend this time in coaching.

While Mackay was coaching. Gimeno and Buchholz exchanged drives on the number three court. Deadened by rain, the court did not allow the balls much bounce. The net-skimming drives were hit to the baselines.

The Spaniard Gimeno impressed with his variety of services, and his swift forehand drives, straight down the line. Buchholz showed that he lacks nothing in power, and kept a good length. The three other members of the professional troupe, Pancho Gonzales, Lew Hoad and Alex Olmedo arrived at Harewood from Sydney last evening, accompanied by Mrs Gonzales.

The three players landed at Harewood at 6.30 p.m., and within half an hour they were on the courts at Wilding Park, at practice.

The professionals all take their practice very seriously, and regard an hour on the court as essential after a long plane or ear trip. They soon got rid of the after-effects of their journey, and were all hitting the ball cleanly. Today’s matches are the first of a series which will continue until the end of March, and which will embrace several continents. By this time the players estimate they will have played each other 10 times, a total of 50 singles matches for each player in 90 days. In addition, there will be doubles matches.

The player with the most wins after the series is completed will gain the first prize of 35,000 dollars. Prizes for the other five, in order, are 25,000 dollars. 20.000 dollars, 16.000 dollars. 10.000 dollars and 9000 dollars. These are in addition to the basic guarantee which each player receives for the year.

Although no further rain is extoday, the centre court will be a little less fast than usual. TTie groundsman at Wilding Park. Mr J. Manhire, had the roller on soon after rain stopped yesterday, and expects the professionals to be well satisfied. In singles matches this afternoon Gonzales plays Olmedo. Mackay plavs Gimeno. and Buchholz plays Hoad. A doubles will also be played.