Later start proposed for tennis

Press, 23 March 1988, Page 30

Later start proposed for tennis

PA i | Auckland The organisers of New Zealand’s two men’s tennis tournaments are contemplating a later start next year to maintain their events’ positions as lead-ups to the Australian Open, i The BP, Nationals in Wellington and the Benson and Hedges Open in Auckland attracted i unusually strong draws this year; as the two build-up tournaments for the grand-slam Australian Open. l But that is | now being threatened by aj decision to play the Australian Open

from l6 to 29. The Soutti Australian open; and 'the New South Wales 1 open; two tournaments run at| the same i time as the N.ewi Zealand events, but usually; with! weaker fields, have already chariged their dates in a move seen as an attempt to get the jump on their Kiw rivals. ’ || : E Now New Zealand wouk like to see (the BP event star on (January 2 instead 0: December 26, and the Bensor and ? Hedges shifted ; from January 2 (to January 9. ( The shift: of the Australian

Open caught Kiwi officials by surprise. I “I had not heard a whisper about it. I thought the Australian Open dates were ( well and truly set,” said Mr Tom Kiely, the tournament (director for; both Auckland and Wellington. “Obviously, we would like to maintain our traditional positions alongside Adelaide and Sydney. , H “The Auckland Lawn 1 Tennis Association will b(e discussing the matter today,” he said. Mr Kiely is particularly

keen to move the Wellington, tournament away' from its Boxing Day start. I | , | ( “It means having to, play qualifying on Christmas Eve and Christmas (Day, which is ridiculous,” he; said. | i However, simply shifting the dates back may riot ensure top players fon New Zealand. Adelaide dlready has the rubber-based I courts Used in the Australian) Open; and Sydney is; contemplating (changing its grass courts to a new rebound surface to ensure the players get the right preparation for Melbourne.