Lewis tumbles, but still fit for cup tie

Press, 4 March 1982, Page 34

Lewis tumbles, but still fit for cup tie

By

JOHN BROOKS.

New Zealand is expected to field a fully fit team for the Davis Cup tennis tie against, Spain — which' is reassuring news for those who. saw Chris • Lewis spreadeagled on a practice court at Wilding Park yesterday afternoon; ■ ’. .. . The leading New. Zealand player, took a.tumble when he twisted; for a backhand return during an exchange of shots with the team’s trainer, Tony Roche, bf Australia. In less than a minute, however, ice was applied to his left ankle and the New Zealand captain, Mr Jeff Robson, said last evening he was “fairly confident” that Lewis would be in good

shape when the three-day contest begins tomorrow.

Mr Robson described Lewis’s mishap as a slight sprain, and added that a masseur who worked on the ankle was confident that the 24-. year-old Aucklander would be “okay.” Lewis, .who had only slight .swelling of the ankle, was able to walk from the court after Mr Robson had strapped his foot. The New Zealand captain said the speed with which ice was supplied was a helpful factor. The rival teams will reveal the identity of their singles players when the draw is made at a mayoral reception in the Town Hall this afternoon. Lewis and

Russell Simpson are expected to be Mr Robson’s choices for New Zealand, and the Spanish captain, Manuel Santana, is likely to name Jose Lopez Maeso and Angel Gimenez. The Simpson brothers, Jeffrey and Russell, appear as the probable doubles combination for New Zealand; they were paired at training yesterday. Both sides have been working with a will at Wilding Park, and Mr Robson and Mr Santana both expressed satisfaction with their respective build-ups. The New Zealand captain praised the facilities and said he was pleased with the state of the centre court. ’