Visiting players find pro. tennis a tough life

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33741, 14 January 1975, Page 6

Visiting players find pro. tennis a tough life

A professional tennis player's world is far from glamorous, according to two of the leading women competitors in this week's BP New Zealand tennis championships at Wilding Park.

Relaxing yesterday after an “easy” first day in the championships, Cecilia Martinez and Wendy Turnbull agreed that no-one played professional tennis simply for the money.

Theirs was, they said, a tough life of high-pressure competition and constant, wearying jet travel. “With all the heartaches and frustrations there are, we don’t play just for the money,” said Miss Martinez, an American who has reached the last eight at Wimbledon, and has beaten some highclass competition. But she readily concedes that it is the money that brings in the public in the United States, and that in--1 creased prize money has done much to boost women’s tennis. “Money talks in America,” she said. . Rewards in Aust. 1 Miss Martinez cannot understand how young Australian w'oraen tennis players have sufficient financial incentive to keep them in the

game. Miss Turnbull, a Queenslander, who is ranked among the first dozen in Australia and has played successfully overseas, agrees that most of the money in her country goes bo the men. But most of Australia's top players, she said, came from country areas, where they received plenty of encouragement in their sport. Australian juniors concentrated on reaching the top, and money did not matter very much.

“Australians go to watch the big names,” she said. Neither of the girls is playing in Christchurch primarily for financial reward. The tournament is not that lucrative, but it is enjoyable, and there is the prospect of meeting Evonne Goolagong in a semi-final. Both players are seeded to be semi-finalists. “I really like New Zealand,” said Miss Martinez. “The country’s beautiful, and,

the people really make an effort to be kind and helpful.”

The girls have billets for their Christchurch stay. Both enjoy a spell of family life. They also like getting out of the tennis circuit and meeting the locals when they travel.

Without agents or managers, both organise the business side of their careers. .Most of their time is spent in the United States, “where the money is.” From big families Both come from large families. Wendy Turnbull, who began playing tennis when she was five; has three older brothers, and three younger sisters. All except one have represented their state in sport. She values her family’s encouragement and interest. Although she says she does not really get homesick, she enjoys returning to Brisbane for a break with them.

The youngest of six children, Cecilia Martinez is known as “Cece” to friends and family. It would be drawing conclusions to say she showed some envy at Wendy Turnbull’s, description of. family sporting togetherness, but her own childhood in San Francisco was certainly very different.

“We all did our own things, and no-one really knew what anyone else was doing,” she said. Being the youngest in the family was a great advantage. With her older brothers and sisters taken care of, her mother was able to help her; get to tournaments. “She really made an effort,” she said. “And she supported me financially for the first two years I played.” Psychology degree Now 27, Miss Martinez has a degree in psychology from the San Francisco’State University. During summer vacations she played professional tennis, and has been on the circuit since graduation. If she had her time over again today she would have turned professional in her teen-age years. “The athlete’s life is short.” she said. “You have to get the most out of your sport while you are young.”

At the moment tennis means most in both the girls’ lives. M&rriage might come later. Eventually, said Miss Turnbull, you get tired of travelling and wanted to settle down.

Neither sees marriage and a tennis career mixing.

The job was, they said, too demanding of both time and attention. Although Miss Turnbull believes any husband of hers would need to be interested in tennis—“it’s been my life”- —Miss Martinez grimaces at the thought of marrying a tennis player. “Tennis marriages,” they said, had just not worked. Men’s and women’s tournaments in the United States are held separately now. “You would end up seeing each other in airport terminals,” said Miss Turnbull. She has found her success something of a disadvantage socially, although both girls staunchly defend their feminine status. Once Wendy Turnbull went out with an Australian footballer who played second grade. He was, she said, just, a little bit jealous of her. The friendship did not last.

A feminist On the subject of femininity, Miss Martinez is undoubtedly a feminist. Any questions on how competing in a tough, professional world affects one’s femininity are countered with a demand, friendly enough, to define what is feminine. “Cece’s an American,” Miss Turnbull said, amid laughter. Although Miss Turnbull is more relaxed on that subject, both girls quickly got interested in their respective hobbies—they enjoy handicrafts, reading, and music. Cecilia Martinez has no objection to top women players leading the tennis fashion stakes; in fact, she said, “that’s good.” Yesterday, Miss Martinez was wearing ear-rings, her usual acces■sory. Miss Tumbull sported a pair of short, orange socks with cheeky pompons—and a cardigan, which she kept on to help sweat off a few unwanted pounds. Both girls intend to pursue their careers for at least a few more years. Right now, the game’s the thing.