AN “OPEN” WIMBLEDON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 53, 4 March 1939, Page 4

AN “OPEN” WIMBLEDON

STILL A LONG WAY OFF

BUT CHANGE OF HEART TOWARDS PROFESSIONALS

Remembering how strongly lawr tennis rulers have set their face: against professionalism in the past, 1 am pleased to be able lo record i change of heart towards the pair player in the inner circle of the L.T.A., writes Geoffrey Simpson. . I think we are still some way off ar "Open" Wimbledon, with amateur: like Bromwich and Austin taking their chance in knock-out competition with the Budgc-Perry-Vincs professional troupe. But whereas at one time lhe L.T.A would not even think ot 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 thinggo. 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 he 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 tailed to notice the big sums being taken from the public by Budge, Perry and Co. In America professional tennis tournaments arc 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, I hen, if the L.T.A.’s of the various countries took hold of professionalism and directed Restarting May 16 next, Budge, Perry. Vines, and other front-rankers will he playing a professional championship at Wembley. The date is sei I led, so I take it Mr. Arthur Elvin did. in facl,

beat the G.R.A. people in the race fo Budge's signature, in spite of contra dictory 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 be 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 hound 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-hound with tradition, a man can be a professional one year and an amateur the next, without hurting anyone's feelings. Some tfi'gue that, an open tennis championship would mean the end of Wimbledon's tournament, as we now know it. I disagree. I think there is room for both an amateur and an open meeting, and that the L.T.A., instead of drawing one lot of takings would draw twice.