Coach’s job not for Lewis
By
DIANNA LESLIE
Chris Lewis has made it plain that he will not be gunning for the job as national junior coach, left vacant after Kevin Woolcott’s resignation which is effective from January next year. Lewis, a 1983 Wimbledon finalist and New Zealand’s top player for 10 years, had expressed an interest in the tennis youth of New Zealand, but speaking from Wellington yesterday he clarified his intention.
“I am not looking for anything permanent in New Zealand,” he said. “I wouldn’t mind the odd week with some top New Zealand talent and I have seen several promising juniors since I have been back.”
Jeff Simpson, who is the captain of the Federation and Davis Cup teams, has recently left his coaching position with Ivan Lendl in favour of a job with New Zealand tennis as the national director of coaching. An official from New Zealand Tennis confirmed that Lewis would be utilised by the national body to coach New Zealand players overseas at different stages and also during brief visits to New Zealand.
Lewis led the winning Wellington team to victory in the Air New Zealand national iriter-club competition yesterday and although appearing to have lost none of his renowned agility and lightning reflexes, he admitted to enjoying his lifestyle out of the hectic professional circuit. “There isn’t the intense atmosphere of international events here and I play mostly club tennis overseas now. I don’t train nearly as hard and I sometimes go for three weeks without looking at a racket,” he said.
Lewis has been impressed with the league, which has heightened the profile of tennis in New Zealand.
“I expected, a few teething problems but the league has been run smoothly and the conditions have been really pleasant to play in,” he said.
Inter-club: Page 25
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Press, 19 December 1988, Page 40
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304Coach’s job not for Lewis Press, 19 December 1988, Page 40
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