‘Disillusioned’ by squabbles

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33516, 23 April 1974, Page 26

‘Disillusioned’ by squabbles

Too much emphasis and squabbling over the distribution of prize money by women tennis players overseas has disillusioned the double New Zealand women’s singles champion. Miss Pryde, of Wellington.

Miss Pryde, who has a fulltime job with the Bank of New South Wales public relations staff in Wellington, arrived in Christchurch yesterday for three days of promotional work. One of the country’s most successful women players — she has competed several times at Wimbledon, in rhe French Open, and in Africa, Asia, and Europe — Miss Pryde said that she had realised from travelling overseas for four years that it was “an artificial way of life.” ‘REALISTIC’ “I’ve become realistic; 1 know I will not be a world champion, but I have seen rhe world through the best way possible — playing sport.” she said. Her attitude towards tennis was simply to play the game for the pleasure to be derived from it. But with three different groups organising women’s tennis circuits she felt that the overseas players’ attitude was money first and sport second. Miss Pryde said she would still like to play in the United States — one country which has escaped her travels — to complete her experience of playing in tournaments overseas.

She had hoped to visit the United States after the national circuit last season, but a ligament injury which forced her to default the final of the New Zealand singles title to Mrs R. Hunt (Canterbury) altered plans. Until last month, Miss Pryde’s leg — from ankle to thigh — was encased in plaster and she still suffers pain. The national championship was a disappointment to her.

"I wanted that third senior title; I had never lost to Robyn (Mrs Hunt) before.”

But she is confident that she will be fit to play the New Zealand circuit next season.

Miss Pryde’s iob includes

talking to service, youth, and sporting groups. “I want to impress on people from eight to 88 that sport it good for them and that tennis is one sport they can play for a lifetime,” she said.

She has been impressed bv the standard of the country’s best junior boys and girls and she though it was a promising sign for the future of New Zealand tennis.

“Canterbury has a very active and loyal team of administrators and a strong bunch of junior players,” she said.