Association praised for Davis Cup efforts

Press, 22 November 1989, Page 36

Association praised for Davis Cup efforts

New Zealand Tennis Incorporoated's chairman, lan Wells, has praised the. administrative ability of the Canterbury Association as it prepares for the Davis Cup tie against Yugoslavia in Christchurch from February 1 to 3.

Early indicators justify the national body’s faith in the Canterbury Association, which has been bypassed for Davis Cup venues since 1985 when it beat Korea in the final of the Eastern Zone competition. Christchurch was used for ties between 1979 and 1985, but could not interest New Zealand Tennis after that. “There is no doubt that the Canterbury L.T.A. ran the best ties we have staged in New Zealand,” said Mr Wells. “The association always had a strong committee and always put effort in. It seems nothing has changed and the 1990 committee under David Blackwell is obviously determined to ensure it picks up where the others left off.” Mr Blackwell confirmed that Canterbury had sold 19 of its 23 boxes for the tie. The boxes seat eight and six people and have been selling for $l5OO plus GST and $lOOO plus GST

respectively. Tickets will be on sale to the public from Monday. The best season seats in the north stand will be available at $6O, GST included. The balance of the north stand and the east stand will cost $5O and the west $4O.

“I have the feeling that if we had 50 boxes we would sell them,” said Mr Blackwell. The tickets are traditionally offered to clubs first, with the initial response promising. “We need strong public support. We need good organisation. The early signs are that the public will be supporting the tie strongly and that’s critical. Christchurch has done well in the past and seems to be shaping up now,” said Mr Wells.

The grass courts, which are in good order, are also expected to play their part. "Wilding Park is one of the world’s last grass court centres to play Davis Cup on,” said Mr Wells. "Now our players hardly ever see the surface, but what we do know is that most opposing players actually hate the surface.” Both teams are expected to spend at least a week in Christchurch adjusting to the surface before the tie starts.