N.Z. Will Vote For Open Tennis

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31627, 13 March 1968, Page 17

N.Z. Will Vote For Open Tennis

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON.

New Zealand will vote for open tennis at the extraordinary meeting of the international federation in Paris on March 30. This was decided by an overwhelming majority at the N.Z.L.T.A.’s council meeting yesterday.

However, there were indications that the distinction between amateurs and professionals would remain in New Zealand tennis.

The chairman of the N.Z.L.T.A., Mr S. Painter, told the council that while the association could support the Swedish proposals on open tennis, this did not mean amateur tennis would be abolished. Mr Painter said that although the United States had voted 17 to one in favour of open tennis, its association would continue with amateur players because of the strong college leagues. NATIONAL DECISION

“If open tennis is approved by the 1.L.T.F., it will be up to each country to decide for itself how to designate its players,” Mr Painter said. Wellington was the only association to vote against the motion to support the Swedish proposal, which seeks the deletion of the words “amateur" and “professional” from the standing orders of the I.L.T.F. and the insertion of the word “player.” The Wellington L.T.A. moved an amendment, which was defeated, that while supporting open tennis, asked that the terms amateurs and professionals be strictly defined, amateur rules be strictly enforced, open tournaments be allowed and a definition of a professional be formed. The Wellington chairman, Mr B. E. Souter, moving the

amendment, said that the N.Z.L.T.A,’s policy was moving away from amateur sport to encourage a sport where players perform for money. “I have always been interested in amateur sport where players give of their best—not for prize money,” he said. “A player who has to be paid to give his best is not worth worrying about.” Mr Souter said that if no more amateur tournaments were staged, tennis would cater for only a few people. “The way would be open for players to hold associations to ransom,” he added. Mr Painter said that the word “shamateur” did not apply only to the much-publi-cised 20 or 30 top players. “There are hundreds of shamateurs under the present system," he said. WALK-OUT THREATENED “The application of stringent amateur rules would mean a mass walk-out of top

players to professional ranks outside the jurisdiction of the 1.L.T.F.,” Mr Painter said. The council must “think internationally,” as it was the changing of international rules at issue.

“If the rules are changed in Paris, then we will consider our own rule changes,” he said.

The meeting rejected a report by the I.L.T.F. committee on amateurism, which provides for the classification of players under “amateur,” “authorised” and “professional."

The council decided that should a walk-out follow the rejection of the Swedish proposal, New Zealand would not participate, “but would consider further the possible results of any nations acting in this way.

“Geographically, it seems essential that New Zealand follows Australia’s lead very closely” the adopted motion stated.