May 2015

President Des Shaw [email protected] IC / NZ Function Christchurch

Hon Treasurer Paul Thomson [email protected] Report on AGM & Dinner

Hon Sec. Pam Sowter [email protected] IC of Invitation to Cocktail Function

Editor Cecilie McIntyre [email protected] Subs Reminder News of Members

Link to IC Council website www.ictennis.net Older Players Drop Shots

Function in Christchurch for all ICNZ Members.

It has been agreed with Tennis NZ that there will be a combined ICNZ / Tennis NZ function to be held at the forthcoming Davis Cup Tie against India being played in Christchurch on the 17th – 19th July. Tennis New Zealand has indicated it would work in well with Tennis NZ Board members coming to the tie plus invited guests from both groups, and representatives from the Indian Association.

It has been decided that a light luncheon on Saturday 18th July prior to the doubles match would be the best time for the function.

Jim Martin will be co-ordinating this and all IC Members from Christchurch and around the country will be invited free of charge with any partners paying a nominal cost still to be decided. Those attending will pay their own travel and accommodation costs. As a matter of interest the All Blacks will be playing Ar- gentina in Christchurch on the Friday night .

The start time for the Friday opening ceremony and 2 singles has not been confirmed yet, but this will be taken into consideration. If you are interested please take note of the dates and indicate your interest as follows to either:

Des Shaw who will be attending and can be contacted on [email protected] or Phone 09 575 5390 or Jim Martin [email protected] or 021 434655

We would like an indication of numbers by 31st May, with final numbers to be confirmed by 6th July.

1 AGM ICNZ April, 2015.

This year our AGM was held in the beautiful new club rooms of the Carlton Cornwall Bowling Club which is situated next to St Cuthbert's College in Epsom. We were very fortunate to be able to use these new facilities and we have had nothing but favourable com- ments from members regarding the rooms and the caterer who supplied us with a delicious dinner. We think that it will be a great place to use again in 2016. To be able to use the club rooms, we had to agree to play bowls first. This was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by the 20 members who made the most of the opportunity to participate in a new sport. We were lucky enough to have the services of Ken and Cec McIntyre and Nick, a member of the Bowling Club, who were there to help novices learn some of the finer points of Bowls.

At the AGM we made a presentation to our wonderful secre- tary, Pam Sowter, who has retired after 8 years in the job. Her place has been taken by Angela Hart who succeeded Pam as Secretary of Tennis Auckland. Pam & Paul Angela will be overseas (watching at Roland Garros & Wimbledon)

Luigi, Betty , Nick and Claudine

Karl and Sir Colin Maiden It was great to welcome Doug and Marion Law and Pat Guiney from Wellington and we did appreciate the effort they made in joining us for the evening.

This year we had two very interesting speakers. Firstly Peter Becroft who relayed to us stories about some well known players whom he had always admired and secondly Karl Budge, the Tournament Director of Tennis Auckland. Karl told us about his achievements in the world of tennis over a long period and how he managed the recruitment of players for the two International Tournaments in January. He answered some interesting questions and we appreciated his input. The evening ended with a chance for members to catch up with one another in the usual friendly manner which has always been part of our Club.

Jill Bignell was the co-ordinator of the hiring and meal arrangements . Thanks Jill and for this report.

2 More about the Davis Cup : Christchurch has been confirmed as the venue for the important New Zealand versus India Davis Cup tie in July.

The Asia/Oceania Group One final has a reward for the winner of taking part in the World Group playoffs against potential opponents such as the United States, Switzerland or Germany later in the year.

The tie against India will be held indoors at The Z Energy Wilding Park Tennis Centre, Christchurch 17-19 July and is the same venue where the home team beat Chinese Taipei in October

Tennis NZ CEO Steve Johns believes it’s an ideal opportunity for tennis and the city of Christchurch to show- case itself.

“The importance of this Davis Cup tie is huge. Over 120 countries in a 115 year old competition take part in Davis Cup and TNZ are pleased to bring this tie to Christchurch again on what is going to be a busy week- end. TNZ is keen to work in with fans who also want to attend the rugby test in the city as well. They can see two high quality sporting events in the one city in the one weekend.”

Tickets for the tie will go on sale midway through next month.

New Zealand’s top players have been putting in good performances since their victory over China in March with a number of Challenger doubles titles and top performances in ATP and Futures events.

Artem Sitak has a ranking of 49 in the world in doubles while Michael Venus is 59 followed by Marcus Daniell at 85.

In singles Rubin Statham is ranked 391 and was recently a finalist and then a winner at Futures tournaments in Australia, on each occasion beating higher ranked players to make the finals.

Michael Venus is ranked 509 in singles.

“It will be great to play in Christchurch again. We had a good win over Chinese Taipei in the same venue last year and the court is really great to play on with the crowd so close to the action. India are strong especially with who is a tennis legend, but all of the Kiwi team have been playing well and taking part in ATP events with success. It’s going to be a great contest against them,” says Sitak whose thoughts are echoed by New Zealand team captain .

“This tie is huge for New Zealand and India. Fighting for World Group playoffs is something big for the Kiwi guys who are all playing well and perhaps it’s not rec- Marcus & Artem on ognised by the New Zealand public just how much breakfast TV prior to they have improved over the past couple of years and the Tie against China. have really made an impact on the world scene.

All the team members and Captain Alistair Hunt are ICNZ Members.

So …… IC Members around the country ….

Why not make an effort to head to Christchurch to support the NZ team, and also catch up with other IC Members at the lunch mentioned on Page 1.

It is a while since we had an IC get together in the South Island.

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Dear friends, Behalf of the IC of France, I am pleased to invite all your If any members are planning to be watching at IC members to our IC Cocktail at Roland-Garros on Tuesday, May Roland Garros this day please contact Cecilie 26th at 6 pm. [email protected] as soon as possible.

Be kind enough to give your members the information. The offer includes a ground pass to watch tennis You will find all the details in the attached document. this day as well. Best regards Angela Hart and her husband Clive will be there Patrice BEUST and Quentin Maisey is also hoping to go. Honorary secretary IC Members need their tie or badge and will International Tennis Club de France need to confirm their attendance.

Subscription notice 2015. Overseas and Touring members are not required to pay the annual subscription and members who were invited to join late last year have already paid for the 2015 season. I noticed recently that the subscription notice in 2010 was also for $50 so it has not increased, but as we pay levies to the IC Council and for the brochure membership booklet which all members received we need to have all NZ members paying .. The notice was sent out after the AGM, thanks to those who have paid already and to remind the others the notice is attached with this newsletter.

NEWS OF MEMBERS

Judy and Bill Tinnock recently celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary.

Judy is one of a few NZ players who are members of the prestigious Last 8 Club at Wimbledon, an honour given to all players who have reached the quarter –finals of singles, and semi-final of doubles events. Congratulations from all your IC friends.

Judy is 2nd from right in the photo in the photo taken at the 2013 morning tea during the ASB Classic.

Others are Betty Kay, (Bryant) Dawn Rocca (Taylor ) Bill , Ruia Morrison-Davy, Pat Guiney (Nettleton) and Elaine Stephan (Becroft).

Having younger members who are now active in the administration of various aspects of Tennis in NZ and the Pacific region is very good for our Club.

From Kevin Woolcott recently, with news of several of our new younger IC Members, Lan, Marcel and Gilles.

“Thanks for a great night at the dinner. Especially that I was able to meet Michele Middleton (Parun) after so many years.

I was the Fed Cup captain in 1985 Nagoya. NZ had a big upset first round where we beat France. Michele was in the team with Julie and Belinda. I should have brought up the other night that was in Bangkok with the NZ Junior Davis Cup team, They had a win today and need to be in top 4 of 16 teams to qualify for world finals.

Marcel and the Junior Fed cup girls were at Shepparton Victoria where they did qualify for the world finals in Czech Re- public later in the year.”

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Gilles de Gouy recently commented to Kevin. “I am in Bahrain at the moment with the Oceania-Pacific Davis Cup team, We are about to start today. I will let you know how we get on. Fortunately the sand storm they had is now reducing it's intensity, but the courts are hard with the dust so will be faster than the surface should be. It is interesting to play in different conditions!”

Lan Bale is now based in Queenstown . Pictured here after he was presented with his ICNZ Tie and the Brochure which was mentioned earlier.

Many IC Members will not know much about Lan, so I found this !! Lane Bale is a tennis professional who started playing in South Africa when he was 9. After playing in all the Junior Grand Slams he competed in 23 Grand Slams during his 11 years on the ATP Tour. He won 4 ATP doubles tiles including one with , and he and Brett made the 1/4 finals of Wimbledon doubles in 1994. He was elected to repre- sent the players on the ATP Player Council. After retiring from the Tour in 2000 he coached at UC Berkeley then coached to the semifinals of the Australia Open in 2003. Since moving to Queenstown in late 2002 Lan has been coaching local juniors with great success, We recall Riki and Ben Mc Lachlan playing in the NZ Junior IC team which won the world final played in Auckland in 2008. They have both been on tennis scholarships at the University of California in Berkeley. Lan has also been a NZ Davis Cup selector.

Quentin Maisey was invited to join the ICNZ early in 2014 and is still an active player . I asked him to let us know what he had been doing. In his early days he was twice a top 10 NZ ranked player then in 1978 took up a rugby contract in Sydney and ceased tennis until returning to NZ in 1988. 1988 till – 2000 he played interclub and held various admin positions in WBOP. He was Chairman of the Eastern Districts Tennis Association for its last three years as it was assimilated it into the Waika- to Bays association. Between 2004 to 2015 he has won 20 National Seniors titles and received the Trevor Withers Trophy in 2012. That year he travelled to Europe for 5 months playing tennis in German Interclub and various ITF tournaments. Tier 1 and 2 titles were won in various countries in singles, doubles and mixed ..His results culminated in the Super Seniors World Championships , Croatia :where a last 16 in singles, runner up in mixed ,and winner men’s doubles was achieved with Max Bates of Australia.. He arrived home with a world ranking of Singles -11, Doubles-3, and Mixed Doubles - 2.

Quentin is still very active in Seniors and proudly will captain the NZ Team for the third time this year in La Baule ,France during World Team Championships in June. He is again heading for Ger- many for a 4 month trip around La Baule.

Quentin (right) with Max Bates

Mark Hadley is another NZer living overseas and playing in some of the Senior Tournaments. Recently he told us : “I managed to win the European Indoor 40s doubles title in January and was run- ner up in the British 35s Indoor doubles. I’m now 4th in the world rankings in doubles as I go into the world championships in Turkey in 10 days time.

Hopefully I get a medal at the world champs as I may be the only Kiwi at the event ! (continued next page )

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Hi Cecilie, I just got back from Turkey where I played the World Champs. My mixed doubles partner wasn't 40 yet so I played down an age group. I lost the final of the 35s mixed doubles with a German called Stepha- nie Kohler and got a silver medal. I lost the quarters of the mens doubles in a tight one and in the round of 16 in singles (not my fortè on clay !). One day I will become a world champion- just not this year ! Best wishes, Mark Hadley

We are ALWAYS pleased to hear from our members, whether living in NZ or overseas…. Please keep the news coming in !!

Reminders of Older Players.

This month we were reminded us that it was 100 years since Captain Anthony Wilding, NZ’s only Wimbledon Singles winner was killed in action in WW 1. That was on May 9th 1915 at Pas-de-Calais in northern France.

He was 31. He won 4 Wimbledon Singles titles in the days of the Challenge series and also won the doubles title 4 times.

He was also a member of the Australasian team which won the Davis Cup in 1907, 1908, 1909 and 1914, At his peak in 1913 he won all three elite singles titles, Wimbledon, the at Paris and the covered court at Stockholm.

Death of great Australian Player Thelma Coyne Long. Last month we received this message: Dear IC Honorary Secretaries and IC Presidents, It is with sadness that I have to advise that our esteemed Honorary Life Member, former Committee member and former Australian champion Thelma Long passed away peacefully last Monday 13th April 2015 in Sydney at 96 years of age. Regards, Chris Kachel Hon Secretary IC Australia

Deepest sympathy to you all on the passing of Thelma Long. Tennis New Zealand well remembers her as the winner of the doubles with Mary Hawton at the first ever NZ Open in 1956. That year Mary also won the Singles title. It was a memorable period for tennis here with so many Australians gracing our shores and giving our public some magic moments watching the best in the world. Kind Regards Pam Sowter IC Secretary NZ

6 During our recent AGM and Dinner our Patron Jeff Robson told a couple of amusing stories about a tour NZ made of Australia when Thelma and NZ’s Ron McKenzie played mixed doubles.

Thelma dominated Australian Tennis from the mid 1930’s to the 1950’s, but had a hiatus during WW2. During that time she was a transport driver for the Red Cross and rose to be a Cap- tain in the Australian Women’s Army Service. She was awarded both the Australian Service and War Medal.

Thelma won 19 titles. Most were doubles, but due to the expense and distance of travel in those times almost all were won in Australia. In 1952 she won the singles, doubles and mixed titles at the Australian Champs.

After her retirement Thelma continued to have an influence on Australian tennis as a coach.

This photo reminds me of both and who played backhands in the same classical style.

In 2013 Thelma was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Drop Shots

During the recent Argentina / Brazil Davis Cup match (Arg ) needed 6 hours 42 minutes to beat Joao Souza in the longest singles match ever played in the Davis Cup. 7/6 (4) 7/6 (5) 5/7 5/7 15/13 . PHEW This brought the tie level to 2 all before Argentina won 3/2.

Former World No. 1 has confirmed that he will not compete at the this year but will play at Queen’s, where a wild card has been confirmed, Wimbledon and the Davis Cup. The 34-year-old has played only 5 matches on the tour this year. Hewitt will also play for Australia against the Kazakh team in the Davis Cup quarter-final later in July. Ranked No. 108 in the world, he will need a wild card to compete at Wimbledon but that should not be a problem considering he is a former champion. Hewitt has confirmed that he will retire after the 2016 .

After decades of prize money at the lowest level of the international tennis circuit being held stagnant, the International Tennis Federation has finally announced that prize money will increase at ITF events on the men's and women's side. The increases will come in a phased manner starting next year. Here are some of the details of the prize money increases - On the ITF Men’s Circuit, $15,000 category tournaments will be increased to $25,000 in 2016, and $10,000 tournaments will be increased to $15,000 in 2017. On the ITF Women’s Circuit, the $15,000 category will offer $25,000 in prize money in 2016 and further increases in 2017 and 2018.

Roger Federer is not only an inspiration to tennis players but also other sports persons. Golfer Jason Day has said that he thinks about Federer when playing golf. Speaking at the Players Championships, Day commented, "I just kept thinking about , what would he do? I don't know if you guys notice, but every time, after a point, he's just kind of very level. He doesn't keep his head down all the time. He's kind of in his own little world, and then he's on to the next point. So that's kind of what I was trying to think of, just kind of mimic what he does.” The 27-year-old Day is currently ranked No. 7 in the world. Quotes from 10sBalls.com

Thanks to those who have contributed to this edition of our Newsletter.

Remember about the light luncheon during the Davis Cup Tie and also please check your subs payment.

For the committee,

Cecilie [email protected]

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