Seeman unavailable

Press, 17 November 1987, Page 56

Seeman unavailable

Phillip Seeman, the winner of the week-end’s Smith’s City Market men’s tennis singles final will be unavailable for selection in the Canterbury team which will be chosen this week. Seeman plans to return to West Germany on Christmas Day to reclaim his head coaching position at the Kempton tennis club. "Unfortunately I will not be available for selection in the Canterbury team because the fulltime job gets in the way.” Seeman beat Andrew Batie in straight sets, 6-0, 6-3, and was in domineering form. The rain which fell on

Saturday evening had dictated the use of the synthetic courts in the finals and they appeared to suit Seeman’s style of play well.

"I have never played on a synthetic surface before so I would have to be pleased with the result. The surface was similar to the clay court surface which I play on in West Germany and I used the clay court skills solely. They seemed to work well,” he said.

Seeman praised Batie’s efforts against him in the final although conceding that his experience on the different surface gave him q slight edge. “Andrew is a good

player. Once he learns to use his speed on the clay courts then he will be a more formidable opponent," Seeman said. Seeman, who had been fighting a virus that had affected his blood and which forced him to abandon work for three months before he returned to New Zealand, felt that he could not have produced such powerful and precise tennis if he had been entered in the doubles matches.

“I was just pleased to get through each game. I could win the singles because I didn't play in the doubles and I could conserve my energy,’*l he said.