N.Z. hoping for home tie

Press, 2 August 1989, Page 64

N.Z. hoping for home tie

By DIANNA LESLIE If New Zealand is drawn to play against Spain or Argentina for its first World Group Davis Cup tennis tie in February, Christchurch could be the venue, according to the executive president of New Zealand Tennis, lan Wells. The draw will be released on August .23 and. there is a “60 to 70 per J cent chance that New Zealand will receive a home tie,” said Mr Wells from Wellington yesterday. “If we strike Spain or Argentina we. woufp seri-

ously consider the grass in Christchurch. We would want to make as much of an impression as we could.” Of the top eight seeded nations — one of which New Zealand will strike in the first round — it would gain a home tie against Yugoslavia, Sweden, France or Spain. The venue against West Germany, the United; States, Czechoslovakia and Argentina would be decided by the toss of a coin as New Zealand has never opposed those nations in the Davis Cup competition. If it is drawn against

Australia, the tie will be held in Australia. Mr Wells was disappointed by the weak crowd appearance in Auckland for New . Zealand’s tie against Hungary, but would not be drawn on an early favourite home venue of the three centres available — Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. . ; “We will take every set of circumstances as they come,” he said. At present New Zealand Tennis is more concerned about the timing of the tie which is scheduled to run - from February 2 to 4.

The Nutri-Metics international women’s tournament (January 29 to February 4) and the Auckland Commonwealth Games (January 24 to February 3), would interfere with satellite television to other countries. The national body has applied for dispensationfrom the International Tennis Federation to al* low it to run the tie from February 7 to 9.: “We have not changed it because we are dodging the Nutri-Metics, but because ■ we probably couldn’t get live television coverage," said Mr Wells.