LAWN TENNIS BOMBSHELL

Taranaki Daily News, 7 June 1932, Page 8

LAWN TENNIS BOMBSHELL

DAVIS CUP COMPETITION. PROFESSIONALS MAY COMPETE. (From" Our Own Correspondent.) London, May 1. An- amazin'g.'proposal, which if adopted would imperil the future of the Davis- Clip: competition, the. premier event in lawn tennis, comes from the Continent. It is stated that Italy, disappointed with the experiences of her team, contemplates strengthening it by reinstating two professionals as amateurs, in,.order .that they may be included! It is also reported that Czechoslovakia wishes to reinstate Karel Kozeluh with, the same end in view, but this is officially denied. Kozeluh ranks as -the premier professional, and he has twice acted-as coach to English players preparatory - to the Wimbledon championships and Cup-matches. The suggestion that he might come back, and compete. against’ them as an amateur, is an astounding one.It is. surprising that this is-'even possible.' But, under the-’ rules-of. the competition, a: player who has lost his status as ah aniateiir may be reinstated by the governing body-;, to which he belongs. Moreover, there has been one such reinstatement. ■ This is that of Paul' Feret, the Frenchman who became a professional at the sam,e‘, time as Mlle? Suzanne .Lenglen, and toured America. In fact,- he- recently- played as an-amateur . for a Paris team against London.':’ -But' it’ has- never been suggested : that ’ he ! was qualified to play for France-in the Davis Cup competition, 'nor is he likely ever to be selected. ' If Italy -were to insist on playing a reinstated amateur, Tam 'sure the whole." lawn-tennis world/.would vigorously protest. In fact, the-possibility that a- country might act in this way compels the ■ immediate alteration of the rule. ’ '