“AMATEUR” IN TENNIS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29657, 30 October 1961, Page 18

“AMATEUR” IN TENNIS

Diverse View s On Meaning ( N .Z J* A. -Re u ter—Copyright) SYDNEY. Octobar 28. At least a million people in Australia were interested in tennis and it might be difficult to show what all of them thought of the meaning of the word ‘‘amateur.” Mr Justice Macfarlan said in the Supreme Court yer.erday. Earlier. Mr C. L. Meares. Q.C., told his Honour that a tennis amateur, in the true meaning of the word today, could live on the sport without being called a professional. Mr Meares was appearing for Mirror Newspapers, Lid., in an action in which Harry Hopman. the Australian nonplaying Davis Cup team captain. is claiming libel damages from the company. Hopman claims that, in 1958. publications under the company’s control libelled him by publishing a rumour that he had been paid £3OOO to coaeh tennis players in South Africa and had ceased to be an amateur. Mirror Newspapers, Ltd., has pleaded not guilty. In legal argument. Mr Meares said the meaning of the word "amateur” was elastic. It had been described in the Oxford Dictionary as one who cultivated something. Mr Meares said he would seek to prove, in evidence, that the meaning of the word "amateur" was a wide one in the eyes of the public and in the tennis world. Mr Justice Macfarlan Mid that in determining the question of admitting evidence of the meaning of amateurism in sport, particularly tennis, he would have to face up to the fact that the same word in the English language was often capable •of different meanings. Hopman's counsel. Mr J. E. Cassidy. QC.. said the company. through its newspapers, had put out to the world a clear statement of dishonesty on the part of Hopman. which was capable to having a defamatory meaning. Mr Justice Macfarlan announced that he would give his decision on the legal argument on Monday. The American professional tennis promoter. Jack Kramer, was last night subpoenaed to appear for Mirror Newspapers, Ltd.