Colourful characters in tennis classic

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33669, 19 October 1974, Page 4

Colourful characters in tennis classic

(By

J. K. BROOKS)

A man who has had treatment from a Manila faith healer, another who was involved in the latest ArabIsraeli war, and a third who was once sus.pended for a year because of bad behaviour in an Italian tournament are among the professional tennis players who will participate in the Benson and Hedges Classic in Cowles Stadium next week.

The player who travelled to Manila to seek a cure for a persistent injury is R. O. Ruffels, a 28-year-old Australian left-hander, who won the New Zealand Open singles three years ago, A heel injury threatened

to end his career in big tennis, but he is reported to have had no trouble since visiting a faith healer. I el Shafei (United Arab Republic) was caught up in the latest Middle East conflict, although it is not known whether he took part in the fighting. This talented Egyptian has confirmed the promise he displayed 10 years ago in winning the Wimbledon junior title; one of his proudest achievements is that he has beaten the prominent American, A. R. Ashe, six times in eight matches. The angry young man in the field is a 22-year-old Australian, K. Warwick, who was banned for a year by the International Lawn

Tennis Federation in 1972. He is perhaps best known as Miss E. Goolagong’s partner in a number of mixed doubles successes, but he was also runner-up for the New Zealand singles title last year. He combined with the man who beat him in the final, S. Ball, to win the doubles championship. There is a host of other colourful characters in the Benson and Hedges field. F. Segura (Ecuador), a veteran showman of the courts, will be warmly remembered by tennis spectators of long standing and F. S. Stolle (Australia), the singles winner in Christchurch last year, will also command a loyal following. The organisers scored a

major coup by attracting G. j C. Richey, a diminutive i Texan who is known as a■ fierce competitor. A mem-; ber of a strong and en- ■ thusiastic tennis family, he | and his sister. Mrs Nancy | Gunter, achieved a notable j first in 1970 when both ; gained No. 1 ranking on) their respective ladders in i the United States. Other Americans fori Cowles Stadium are L. R.J Tanner, the big hitter, A. ■ Mayer, whose father was a' Hungarian Davis Cup! player, and W. Brown, who | crushed I. Nastase in the Canadian Open this year. |

The West Germans, J. Fassbender and H. J. Pohmann, are both fine singles players and have teamed in doubles to gain many titles. It is a pity that R. Case (Australia), who is running hot at present, has withdrawn from the classic. But his fellow countrymen will be to the fore. There will be R. D. Crealey, a dashing Sydneysider who stands 6ft 4Jin in his socks, P. C. Dent, a former junior star, and the reliable I. Fletcher.

New Zealand’s challenge will be led by O. Parun, B. E. Fairlie and J. Simp-' son. All three should hold j their own in a field crammed with talent. The I tournament should be; marked by plenty of drama; and excitement, sharp j rallies and superb court-| craft.

The success of the week of top tennis should provide a firm foundation for future classics in Christchurch.