Tennis: Chris Lewis leaving for US

Chris Lewis coaches promising youngster Marina Erakovic. Picture / Amos Chapple

There was good and bad news for New Zealand and Auckland tennis fans yesterday after the announcement that Chris Lewis was about to relocate to the United States.

The former Wimbledon finalist and Davis Cup star has decided to end his nine-year association with Auckland junior tennis and relocate to southern California, the homeland of his wife, Cindy.

However, while Auckland will lose Chris, it has retained the services of his brother Mark, and is likely to soon begin making overtures to third brother David, who has returned from a highly successful coaching stint in Europe.

A former Davis Cup player in his own right, David fashioned a solid reputation while coaching in Germany and Switzerland, but has apparently opted for a long-term return to New Zealand.

Auckland Tennis chief executive Graham Pearce said yesterday that Chris Lewis had been a "fantastic servant" of the game, and would continue to play an offshore coaching role from his base in the United States.

"A lot of the players Chris has been involved with - players such as Marina Erakovic - are spending more and more time outside New Zealand, so will probably continue to check in with him from time to time.

"Chris told us some time ago of his plans, and it was the end of his contract period anyway, so the entire process has been very amicable and straightforward.

"We thank him for his professional dedication and wish him and his family all the very best in their move."

Lewis said in a statement yesterday he was grateful for all the support he had received from the game's stakeholders during his stint with the juniors.

"The last nine years I've spent working with Auckland Tennis have been immensely satisfying," he said.

"Together with Mark, I take tremendous pride in all that we've achieved. However, these achievements would not have been possible without the fantastic support we've received from players, parents and the Auckland Tennis Board and its staff."

There was a silver lining to the loss of Lewis when Pearce not only confirmed the retention of brother Mark but also revealed that David was now living in Auckland with the intention of staying long-term.

Tennis aficionados spoken to by the Herald yesterday claimed that David was perhaps the most successful coach of the three brothers, and an invaluable resource following his professional experience in Europe.

Pearce said yesterday that, while no formal contract, "or anything like that", had been discussed, he was certain that David Lewis' mere presence in the city would be a boost for the game.

"He's quite literally only just moved back into town," Pearce said.

"But we're obviously keen to use him in any way possible, and I'm sure he'll play some sort of role in the future."