University degree stands in way of Furness’ tennis career

Press, 9 December 1988, Page 36

University degree stands in way of Furness’ tennis career

By

DIANNA LESLIE

The compulsion to complete a university degree stands between Brendon Furness and the possibility of a professional tennis career within the next three years. Furness, aged 17, has just completed bursary exams at Burnside High

School and is determined to gain qualifications in the form of a Bachelor of Commerce degree, before embarking on the professional circuit.

"I definitely want to play overseas. But before I give tennis a go I want to have something to fall back on,” he said.

Furness is aware of the potential danger of staying in New Zealand and perhaps falling behind his counterparts in terms of development and experience in the game. “I’d like to think I wouldn’t lose anything, but I probably will miss out on tough competition. That question will be answered when some of the players that are overseas now come home,” he said.

Andrew Batie, Furness’ doubles partner for the national 18 years tournament in Auckland from December 19 to 23, is studying under a tennis scholarship in the United States.

Batie is returning to New Zealand to defend his national 18 years doubles title with Furness, and several juniors will be eager to discuss overseas opportunities with him. Canterbury has a particularly strong contingent in the individual boys and girls event this year, including Furness, Batie, Michael Smith, James O’Malley, Ross Alderson, Julian Faulls and Amanda Trail.

“It will be difficult this year. It is probably the strongest the competition has been for a few years,” said Furness.

Furness lost to Troy Tipene in the final of the 18 years event last year, 6-4, 7-5. He is ranked at No. 4 in that age-group behind Tipene, Batie and Alistair Hunt respectively. Furness plays at No. 1 for Fendalton in the senior inter-club in Canterbury, and has had some encouraging results for Shirley in the Air New Zealand national interclub league. He has drawn praise from some of the name players and at No. 4 has won two of the three matches played. Furness is enjoying the competition the league has attracted after overcoming early nerves, and is keen to play whenever possible. “I played when I was in the middle of exams and I only found out on Thursday that I was playing on Saturday. I was nervous before I went on but it was a real buzz with the crowd and the atmosphere. I came right once I had some games on the board,” he said.

Furness’ debut was in front of a parochial Wellington crowd. Perhaps surprisingly he found them more appreciative of his game but not so lenient with the well known tennis personalities from Canterbury such as Peter Hampton and Brett Hibbert.

“Actually, Wellington spectators were not as one sided with me as with

games between Hampo or Hibbi against old rivals,” he said.

Furness is also considering West Germany as a possible venue to extend his tennis career. He has taken German since the third form and should have no difficulties bridging the language gap which initially plagues many players. “It is quite coincidental that I took German in the beginning. But when I reached the fifth form I realized that it might be really helpful if I decided to do anything with my tennis in Germany,” he said.

Furness is training in the junior regional development squad under the close scrutiny of Brett Hibbert, the assistant Southern Regional coach. “Hibbi is great. I would like to continue training with him,” he said.

Furness joins a New Zealand squad to travel to Australia to contest the Victorian championship and the Australian junior championship next year and is keen to earn some good results.

The squad includes Alistair Hunt and Amanda Trail, from Canterbury, and Troy Tipene. The plexipave surface should suit Furness’s game.

“I prefer plexipave. I am not really a serve and volley player. On that surface you need consistency and power from the base liine and to be able to pick the shots to get into the net to finish it off,” he said.