Tennis Finances 'Desperate’

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31866, 19 December 1968, Page 19

Tennis Finances 'Desperate’

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) MELBOURNE. Unless the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia makes a substantial profit from the Davis Cup challenge round in Adelaide later this month, it will not be in a financial position to send a team overseas next year. This was stated yesterday by the promotion committee chairman, Mr N. Vickers, who said the association would be lucky to “break even” on this year’s cup. The national association was in “a desperate financial situation, with less than $20,000 in the bank. “I think we will be in the red by the end of this, first Australian open circuit,” he said. . With the Davis Cup for 1968 only seven days away, the L.T.A.A. is still unable to arrange sponsorship. The oil company which sponsored the last two Australian challenge rounds withdrew several months ago..Mr Vickers has made a nationwide appeal for any major Australian company to sponsor the challenge round. Mr Vickers said the L.T.A.A. was in such poor financial

straits that they could not afford to send a team overseas next year if they lost the cup to the United States in Adelaide. With the L.T.A.A. likely to

lose money on the first Australian open national titles in Brisbane, Australia had “no chance” of 'challenging for the 1969 Davis Cup. Howe-'er, the L.T.A.A. has

finally got backing for the Australian open. A tobacco company has offered to sponsor the $30,000 in prize money guaranteed to the professional tennis troupes three months ago. The tournament, to be played at Brisbane' from January 20-27, will cost the L.T.A.A. $42,000 before a ball is served. It has also promised the professionals $12,000 appearance money. The L.T.A.A. has offered $4500 as first prize for the men’s singles and $2300 for the runner-up.