REPLIES TO CRITICISM

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29760, 1 March 1962, Page 18

REPLIES TO CRITICISM

“No Genuine Cause”

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) MELBOURNE. February 28 Australian tennis officials today rejected the American player Miss D Hard's critieism of the arrangements for her Australian tour. Mrs N. Hopman of the Lawn Tennis Association of Victoria, said: “There is no genuine cause at all for her attack on our officials ”

Of Miss Hard’s charge of “stinginess." Mrs Hopman said: “Darlene was invited as an official guest of the LT A.A. and would know before she left America exactly what travelling expenses and daily allowance she would receive”

The president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia. Mr N Strange, in Melbourne today that there was “no justification" for Miss Hard’s attack “I was in touch with her many times and asked her if she was happy, but not once did she make a complaint." he said He had repeatedly told Miss Hard to inform him immediately if she had any complaint “because we were most anxious that she should be happy—not once did she come to me to say that things were not to her liking

*‘l think Miss Hard was treated very well." he said. The Melbourne "Herold" said today that Miss Hard was the LT A A's second choice for the tour with Miss Y Ramirez last season Their first choice. Miss K Hantee. was not available "Miss Hard accepted the LTA A.'s terms to play in the national and State titles and other matches between November 16 1961, and January 13. 1962. “She received all travel expenses. accommodation, meals and £1 IQs a day ‘out-of-pocket* expenses.” the “Herald" said.