Newcombe fit for tie

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34087, 26 February 1976, Page 28

Newcombe fit for tie

SYDNEY. Australia’s millionaire tennis player, John Newcombe, has declared himself fully tit for the eastern zone Davis Cup tie against New Zealand, which begins at Brisbane tomorrow. Newcombe has taken a long time to recover from the injury which kept him out of Wimbledon and many other tournaments in 1975, and the Aus- ' tralian captain, Neale Fraser, had threatened to drop Newcombe if he was not fit. “I don’t think Neale has any reason to worry about me,” Newcombe said after a workout at the Milton courts in Brisbane.

"I’m not as fit as I have been in the past, but I sure am fit enough to play five sets against any-! one.” The Australians are now : more worried about their! other likely singles; player. Tony Roche, who has bad blisters on his left hand—his racket hand. He has been using a mitt in practice and may have to use it in the tie. The New' Zealand captain, Jeff Robson, reported no worries with his players, Onny Parun, Brian Fairlie and Russell Simpson, who have had two days of practice on grass courts.

"The courts are slow and damp, but they are grass, and the players are fit and well, and seem to be in good touch." he said.

Team selections for the singles will be announced shortly before the draw in Brisbane today.

New Zealand is sure to choose Parun and Fairlie. but Fraser has two very capable players in Ross Case and Geoff Masters standing by to replace Newcombe or Roche if necessary.