BACKS N.Z. TOWIN

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30936, 17 December 1965, Page 18

BACKS N.Z. TOWIN

Tennis Cup In Aust "The Press" Special Service WELLINGTON. The 17-year-old Aucklander, Brian Fairlie, is convinced that New Zealand can win the Linton Cup—the symbol of Australian inter-State junior boys’ tennis supremacy —■in Sydney next month.

Falriie has been in Australia for the last four months. He won three major tournaments—the South Australian junior singles, the N.S.W. under-23 singles and the Strathfield Metropolitan junior singles. **l did better than I expected I would,” he said. “I have no regrets about deciding to become a full-time tennis player—l just love the life. “It has been a great experience. I’ve learned to hit the ball harder and have sacrificed placement for pace. “You just have to hit the ball hard in Australia. I have improved most in my serve and volley,” he said. “Next year I hope to go to Europe and get more experience.” Even the Australian juniors, who are famed for their dedication to tennis, marvelled at Fairlie’s devotion to the game. “My programme consisted in calisthenics, running, improving my speed around the court and playing tennis,” he said.

Fairlie said the New Zealand junior teams might have difficulty coping with the fast courts and the fiery boils. “They take some getting used to,” he said, “but once you are in the groove, it's really terrific to play on such courts and with such light balls.”