India and N.Z. will play two tennis tests

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32450, 10 November 1970, Page 20

India and N.Z. will play two tennis tests

(N?w Zealand Press Associatipn) i . , WELLINGTON. New Zealand and India will play two official tests in Auckland and Wellington during the five-match Fresh-Up international tennis series early next month, the executive of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association decided last evening.

As well as the two, two-day tests—the first in Auckland on December 5 and 6, and the last one in Wellington on December 12 and 13— ■the two teams will also play three one-day fixtures. The ones in Napier and , Wanganui on December 8 ■and 9 respectively will be played indoors on boards, while the other match in Christchurch on December 10 will be played on grass. ; The meeting also decided that the nine-point tie-break-er system, now used extensively overseas, will operate for the two* tests, where all matches —four singles and one doubles—will be the best of five sets. There is also a strong possibility that a women’s test against Canada will be arranged for the middle of December. Canada has offered its Federation Cup team to the N.Z.L.T.A. for a period of five days from December 14 to 19, just before the Federation Cup begins in Perth, and the meeting agreed to investigate the possibility of staging a test against the New Zealand Federation Cup side. A more satisfactory arrangement between the Canterbury and New Zealand associations had been reached which would make the playing of a match against the Indians a financial success, the chairman of the association’s management committee (Mr R. B. Brown) said at a Canterbury management committee meeting last evening. The New Zealand association offered to pay all expenses and would take the first $4OO of the gross profit. If television coverage of the matches can be arranged, the national body would require the first $550 of the gross profit. . However, If there Is Jo play because of adverse weather, the (

Canterbury association will still not be required to contribute to any costs. The meeting unanimously agreed to accept the national body’s offer. A letter was received from the Canadian No. 1 woman player, Miss Andrie Martin, applying to play in the Canterbury championships on January 26-30. Miss Martin will be playing in the international women’s Federation Cup teams’ championship in Perth, from December 26, and offered to play in Christchurch in return for ‘‘hospitality and travelling expenses.” “It appears she will be coming for the New Zealand championships,” Mr Brown said, adding that members of the South

African, Italian, Australian and French teams might also compete there. “However, if their travelling expenses (to Australia) are paid for by the Australians, they will undoubtedly be expected to play the Australian circuit afterwards.”

The meeting decided to acknowledge Miss Martin’s letter, offering hospitality and explaining that the matter of travelling expenses would be considered at the New Zealand association level.

Because of a grant of $5OO sponsorship by Ballin’s Breweries, Ltd, towards the provincial championships, they will noW be called the Bailin’* Canterbury championships.