COURTSIDE CRITICISM

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29824, 17 May 1962, Page 7

COURTSIDE CRITICISM

Team Manager Denies Charge

(N.Z.P.A .-Reuter—Copy rig M) ROME, Miay 16.

The manager of the Australian men’s tennis team, Mr A. Chave, denied today that he had given advice to Miss M. Smith (Australia) during the final of the women’s singles in the Italian tennis championships on Tuesday. He was supported by Miss Smith and the referee, Dr. C. Della Vida. A report in “The Times” of London yesterday criticised Italian tennis officials for allowing Chave and the captain of the Brazilian team, S. da Silva Costa, to “second” their charges through the match. The rules of lawn tennis state that the only time are allowed to receive courtside advice is during an international match, and then only from a team captain. Mr Chave denied that he had given advice to Miss Smith, and added: “All I did was to hand her a towel and give her a drink.” He said that his being at the side of the court was suggested by Dr. Della Vida, because Miss Bueno had made a request the might before that she should have somebody at the side of the court to hand her a towel and to look after the drink supply. Miss Smith said Dr. Della Vida told her that if Miss Bueno had Mr da Silva Costa to assist her, she would have to choose someone in a similar capacity. She chose Mr Chave.