Stolle Believes He Is Closing Tennis Gap

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30823, 7 August 1965, Page 13

Stolle Believes He Is Closing Tennis Gap

.V Z. Press Association —Copyright

BALTIMORE. August 6. F. S. Stolle agrees with the rankings which list R. Emerson as the world’s best amateur tennis player, but he believes he is closing the competitive gap on his fellow Australian, Associated Press reports.

“I've closed tire gap a little bit, compared with 18 months ago," Stolle said today, before his quarter-final match in the Middle Atlantic grass courts tournament. “But, I’ve got to close it a little more yet.” Whereas Emerson dominated Stolle with relative ease in 1964. he holds only a 5-4

•edge when they have clashed ; this year. . I “But Roy seems to play his I best in the bigger tournaj ments,” Stolle said. “He wins > | the big ones and I get the i rest,” Stolle defeated Emerson I last week at Orange. New Jersey, for the Eastern grass courts title, in what he no ■ doubt considers one of the i i lesser tournaments.

I But a major title, the | United States nationals at ' Forest Hills, New York, will I be starting on September 3. | “I have my best chance to I beat Roy if he is having j trouble with his serve.” Stolle : said. | “When he is getting his I first serve irj, I hit it back ■ high and set him up. If he i has to go to his second serve, I I have a chance.” Stolle said he doubted that the often proposed open tennis tournaments, matching professionals and amateurs, would ever become a reality because the expenses involved would limit the number of such tournaments. Ln addition, he said, eight professionals in a draw of 32 would knock a lot of ■good ■ amateurs off the circuit

L. A. Gerrard, of New Zealand, foresees two separate circuits if the open tourna-

ments become a reality—with the better amateurs touring with the professionals and the i remainder on a separate tour. I. S. Crookenden, of New I Zealand, also cited the cost jof promotion, in guessing against adoption of open play. “At Wimbledon,” he said, “they already have capacity crowds. Open play would only increase expenses, without getting more return." Gerard was even more realistic: “It would improve tennis,’’ he said, “but I find amateur tennis tough enough now.”

In today’s quarter-finals of the Middle Atlantic tournament, Stolle meets Dave Power, of America, Crookenden plays Jim McManus, of America, Gerard plays Jerry Cromwell, of America, and Ray Moore, of South Africa, is matched against John Pickens, of America.