Setting the Wimbledon scene ... Australian pair return to the doubles courts

Press, 24 June 1981, Page 25

Setting the Wimbledon scene ... Australian pair return to the doubles courts

Australia's John Newcombe and Tony Roche, whom even many hon-Aus-tralians would place at the I top of tennis's all-time * doubles rankings, will team ; together at Wimbledon »■ after an absence of 'three years. Newcombe, aged 36. and -* left-handed Roche, aged 35, '"rest their case for doubles ' immortality on having taken ? the Wimbledon title five i times, the first in 1965, and ithe last 11 years ago. * Despite their age and a < -minimum of serious tournament play in recent years, * their bid for the world s No. ’1 doubles title this year is far from frivolous. “This is not a nostalgia trip for us. We are not going there seeking headlines." .••Newcombe said. “Our reputation is far too important -■ for us to go to Wimbledon "and make fools of ourselves. >We are fit and keen and believe we have a "good chance of winning.” * Both players, now very 'active in over-35 tournaments both overseas and at ■ home, claim they are injury- . When not playing in "tournaments, Roche spends < hours every day at Barkers ■ College. Sydney, with his ■•" Operation Tennis” squad. •-'Newcombe has returned to ' ; ‘the youthful routine of daily '’. three-mile runs, wind sprints -and stomach exercises in a bid to prove he is serious >about the Wimbledon come--back.

Newcombe played doubles at the last two Wimbledons, partnering former Australian Davis Cup squad member Owen Davidson. But he admits that neither of them was properly prepared to

take on younger and fitter opponents at the world’s most famous tennis tournament. "This time it will be different,” Newcombe claims.

“Tony and I have been'pairing quite a lot lately and enjoying it. We may not play together for months, but as soon as we begin warming up for a match, snap, we are back in business. All the old

moves, the old confidence in each other, the instinct we have for knowing what the other guy is going to do start working again. "We are not kidding about Wimbledon. If we can improve our fitness, if nothing goes wrong physically, we genuinely believe we can give the title a shake.”

When Roche finishes his Wimbledon commitments, he will fly into Christchurch to aid the preparation of- New Zealand's Davis Cup team. It is hoped Roche will arrive on July 4. which will give him five full days with the squad before its tie against Britain begins at Pioneer Stadium.

• It is somewhat ironic that one of New Zealand's toughest foes on the court in recent years should now be helping its bid to progress in the Davis Cup.