Tennis LATER STARTS SUGGESTED

Press, Volume C, Issue 29520, 23 May 1961, Page 17

Tennis LATER STARTS SUGGESTED

N.Z. Championship Meetings

New Zealand tennis championships would win greater spectator support if play started each day at 1 p.m. and continued throughout the afternoon, said Mr W. A. Clothier at a meeting of the management committee of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association last night. The present arrangement, under which play started at 9 a.m. and finished about 5.30 p.m., during the seven days of the tournament, made play too protracted, he said. A 1 p.m. start would mean the elimination of the luncheon break and play could continue throughout the afternoon to about 6 p.m., said Mr Clothier. Under the present system, too many good matches were played in the morning, with noone there to see them.

“Don’t you think that this would give tennis a shot in the arm?” asked Mr C. C. Palmer. “There is too much hanging round at present.” Mr M. C. Healey doubted that the programme could be completed in seven days with 1 p.m. starts. If one event, say the mixed doubles, was eliminated. it would be practicable. Otherwise, some competitors would play three matches in an afternoon.

The discussion lapsed without any motion being moved.