AN “OPEN” WIMBLEDON

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 55, 7 March 1939, Page 5

AN “OPEN” WIMBLEDON

STILL A LONG WAY OFF BUT CHANGE OF HEART TOWARDS PROFESSIONALS

Remembering how strongly lawn tennis rulers have set their faces against professionalism in the past, I am pleased to be able to record a change of heart towards the paid player in the inner circle of the L.T.A., writes Geoffrey Simpson. I think we are still some way off an “Open” Wimbledon, with amateurs like Bromwich and Austin taking their chance in knock-out competition with the Budge-Perry-Vines professional troupe.

But whereas at one time the L.T.A. would not even think of such a suggestion, I am told that this week a committee will sit to discuss the whole question of the future of professional tennis as it affects the amateur game. And that, I think, denotes a more tolerant attitude, and possibly a willingness to toy with the idea of an open meeting at some not too distant time. The L.T.A. may even consider promotion of a professional championship as a beginning ,to see how things go. Food For Thought There is one thing amateur sports bodies have in common. They may be amateur, but they do like their championship meetings to be big financial successes. Even the Rugby Union, who pretend that the game is played for the benefit of players and not for spectators, would be sick and sorry if there was a slump in the takings at Twickenham. The L.T.A. have possibly been doing some hard thinking. They cannot have failed to notice the big sums being taken from the public by Budge, Perry and Co. In America professional tennis tournaments are attracting crowds of Wimbledon proportions, and the stronger they become the more willing amateurs will be to forsake their status. The number of star amateurs who have “moved over” is already of alarming proportions—alarming, that is, for amateur tennis controllers—and Wimbledon next summer is going to wear a thin look, especially as the Australians are staying away. Sure to Pay How much better, then, if the L.T.A.'s of the various countries took hold of professionalism and directed it. Starting May 16 next, Budge, Perry, Vines, and -other front-rankers will be playing a professional championship at Wembley. The date is settled, so I take it Mr. Arthur Elvin did. in fact,

beat the G.R.A, people in the race for Budge’s signature, in spite of contradictory statements. Now there is a feeling inside the L.T.A. councils that Wimbledon might

as well house such an event, with the professionals playing on their lovely green turf in sunshine instead of on ' wood under electric light. With an official L.T.A. championship label attached, it would he a paying proposition. We may get some news about this later, if the diehards who mean to talk it out do not get their own way. Room For Both An all-professional show at Wimbledon would, I think, convince the L.T.A. of the tremendous possibilities in an open championship meeting. That eventually must be their aim. I think an open meeting is bound to come, for there is nothing against it. and other sports who allow amateurs to compete with professionals manage along very well. Amateur golfers are none the worse for competing in the open against Cotton and Whitcombe, and as for cricket which is positively hide-bound with tradition, a man can be a professional one year and an amateur the next without hurting anyone’s feelings. Some argue that an open tennis championship would mean the end ol Wimbledon’s tournament, as we now know it. r disagree. I think there is room for both an amateur and an open meeting, and that tb.e L.T.A., instead of drawing one lot of takings would draw twice.