Kramer To End U.S. Promotions

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29734, 30 January 1962, Page 17

Kramer To End U.S. Promotions

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) NEW YORK, January 29. The professional tennis promoter, Jack Kramer, is shutting down his Los Angeles headquarters. From now on he would occupy himself chiefly with a public golf course he had taken over in Chino, California, the “New York Times” reported today.

Kramer announced a few weeks ago he would not exhibit the professional players he had under contract in the United States in 1962. He said he had suffered sub-s-antial losses from the last two tours in the United States. Closing Offices Kramer said yesterday he would close down his Los Angeles offices, disbanding his Staff on Thursday. "Apparently, after realising rich profits for almost a decade, he has given up on professional tennis in this country." the report said. ‘‘He could change his mind should the- International

Lawn Tennis Federation, at its Paris meeting in July, . sanction the holding of open tournaments beginning in 1963.” Kramer would continue his tennis promotions abroad but he would no longer conduct them personally, the newspaper added. ■ “I have had my fill of • travelling and they don't ! need me.” Kramer was quoted as saying. Tony Trabert would be i Kramer's foreign agen-t in i charge of operations. Touring i groups would compete in Europe, South America and I South Africa. I Kramer currently had two : groups playing in Australia. He said they were doing well but the outlook in Australia would be uncertain after they finished their schedule on March 1. A New Zealand Press Association message from Wellington last Thursday reported that confirmation had been received that Kramer's troupe would visit New Zealand to play a series of ■ matches in all the main . centres, arriving on March i 1 and departing on March 12. - (A. Gimeno. L. Ayala, F. - Sedgeman, and K. Rosewall ' were named as members of . the troupe, with the possible ? addition of E. Bucholtz and r B. Mackay.) Contracts Ending ' He acknowledged that his - contracts with the Australian ’ players had or were about ; to run out and that they would be free agents. Among r them were L. Hoad, Rosewall. Sedgeman. A. Cooper, and J M. Anderson. * The newspaper, after re- ‘ calling that R. Laver and R. ‘ Emerson have unexpectedly ; decided not to sign contracts J with Kramer after defending ’ the Davis Cup, quoted f Kramer as saying: ‘‘They wanted more money than I i could gamble with. I don't f mind revealing that I guaran- - teed each of them 37,500 - dollars for two years.” ' [Earlier Report Page 22]