Chch hopes to attract tennis ‘guns’

Press, 15 December 1983, Page 44

Chch hopes to attract tennis ‘guns’

By

JOHN BROOKS

Sponsorship to the tune of $200,000 is to be sought by the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association in a bid to hold a prestigious international men’s tournament at Wilding Park in November next year.

It is expected that 48 topname players will take advantage of the opportunity of grass court tournament play before they contest the Australian Open championship. They will compete for SUSBB,OOO in prize money at Christchurch. “We are speaking of the best international field of men that could be assembled in New Zealand,” said the president of the Canterbury L.T.A., Mr Brian Faulls, yesterday. “There will be no other major tournament anywhere in the world at that time, so we should attract the guns.” The tournament will be held from November 19 to 25 and the New Zealand body hopes to have it included on the international grand prix list. “Why we are keen to hold this event is because we feel that the Davis Cup ties in Christchurch are not guaranteed as an on-going

situation,” Mr Faulls said. “This year New Zealand faces its toughest first round opponent in Paraguay, and the C.L.T.A. could stand to lose $15,000 in revenue, which we have had from ties over the last six years, if the Kiwis are beaten. “We have been on the look-out for ways of keeping our income up, and the only way, besides increasing levies, is to attract a major tournmanet,” said Mr Faulls. “While there are still several negotiations to take place, we are confident that the tennis public will see the best tournament yet held in New Zealand.” Preliminary discussions have already been held with the national body, which will handle the invitations, and a sub-committee of the C.L.T.A. will endeavour to find sponsors, with the assistance of the New Zea-

land body. The 64 dollar question, of course, is whether Wilding Park will present a suitable surface for such an important fixture, but Mr Faulls has no fears on that score. “With the restoration plans we have in hand, those courts will look fabulous by May or June next year,” he said. “I am confident we will have magnificent grass courts to play on.” The holding of the big tournament had not influenced the C.L.T.A. in its decision to progressively close the grass courts for remedial work for next week. That decision had been made first, he said. Another big tennis event to be held in New Zealand next summer will be a fUSSO,OOO women’s tournament, which will acommodate a field of 32. It is expected that this event will go to Auckland.