All in readiness for N.Z.’s greatest tennis occasion

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33779, 27 February 1975, Page 28

All in readiness for N.Z.’s greatest tennis occasion

(From A. M. MENZIES)

AUCKLAND.

When the two most successful players as a pair that New Zealand has had, Onny Parun and Brian Fairlie, face two of the most successful players world tennis has known, John Newcombe and Ken Rosewall, it is small wonder that New Zealand will have the biggest crowd which has watched tennis here —nearly 6000.

Even though Australia is favoured to win, the Davis Cup eastern zone final, which starts tomorrow, has Auckland boiling with enthusiasm. The magnificent cup, occupying a street-front window, has crowds gazing at it all day. Workmen walked off the job of erecting temporary seating at Stanley Street today, but the task went on under other arrangements, and the seats for the 6000 will be available by tomorrow. Great reception Increasing the interest in this tie has been the circumstances of Parun’s decision to break his contract with World Championship Tennis temporarily to return, as he says, to play for his country. Because of his attitude, Parun is assured of a remarkable reception when he first goes on to the court.

The fund opened in Auckland yesterday to help pay his fine has had many contributors, with more than $6OO raised. Draw today The draw for the opening singles will be made this afternoon by the GovernorGeneral (Sir Denis Blundell), and there is much speculation about the names which will go into the cup. It is certain that Parun and Fairlie will be New Zealand’s singles players. The other members of the team are Jeffrey Simpson, another player contracted to W.C.T. who is not yet back from America, but who is expected today, and the promising young Aucklander, Chris Lewis. Captain not saying Also certain is that the three-times Wimbledon winner, Newcombe, now probably the world’s finest player, will head the singles for

Australia. But whether his second will be Rosewall, Neale Fraser, the Australian captain, is not saying. The other members of the Australian side are Geoff Masters and Ross Case, who might be considered more in form than the 40-year-old Rosewall. Jeff Robson, the New Zealand captain, might hope for a first singles between Parun and Rosewall, which would be a definite chance for a New Zealand success. Best for Fairlie But one of New Zealand’s most experienced tennis administrators, Mr S. Painter, who has managed Davis Cup teams, feels that Fairlie might play his best tennis if he goes into the first singles against Rosewall. The Australians have had the advantage of practising at Stanley Street since the week-end; Parun arrived only yesterday and Fairlie is recovering from bronchitis. However, the players of both teams practised diligently today—Parun with Fairlie, Newcombe with Masters, Rosewall with Case. Those watching could only be enthralled by the brilliance of Newcombe and his complete control of the ball. Noted stamina But both Parun and Fairlie were hitting cleanly and hard. Parun looks thinner and more drawn than ever, but there is no doubting his stamina.

No player in the world plays more than he does without flagging, and his effort this time will be influenced by his desire to do well for New Zealand in front of the Auckland crowd. His fine will be paid—and by the support already for the fund the New Zealand association will not suffer either. No suspension It is known now that he will not be suspended, and from what the executive director of W.C.T. (Mr M. J. Davies) has said in telephone conversations with New Zealand officials, the incident has brought new attempts to ensure that dates of Davis Cup ties and professional tournaments do not clash in future. The courts at Stanley Street are patchy, as always, but they will be true and fast, Mr Fraser said he would like to see more grass on them; Fairlie and Parun know them well.