Story of Rotorua tennis legend to be told

Dick Garrett researching a book on Ruia Morrison . 29 August 2016 Daily Post Photograph by Stephen Parker

Rotorua's Ruia Morrison is a legend of New Zealand tennis, and a new book aims to accord her the accolades she deserves.

Among her many notable achievements, Morrison (Te Arawa, Ngati Whakaue, Ngati Tuwharetoa) was the first Maori woman to compete at Wimbledon, representing New Zealand at the tournament between 1956 and 1960.

Aotearoa Maori Tennis Association president Dick Garratt is putting together a book telling her story.

Picture of Ruia Morrison-Davy coaching Tarewa Juniors at the Koutu Tennis Courts thought to have been taken in the 1960s.

"This will be the story of Ruia gathered from the formal records, memories of her many famous tennis colleagues of New Zealanders and stars of the game from abroad, her whanau of Rotorua, and her own thoughts and memories," he said.

Five years' work has gone into collating data and photos for the book, to be called Tikitere to ... Wimbledon and the World.

"I am amazed at Ruia's own collection and more amazed at her memory," said Garratt.

"Ruia has never really been accorded the true accolades for her achievements she rightly deserves."

While research has been ongoing, finding the finance to produce the book has proved problematic.

A launch date of December, to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the Aotearoa Maori Tennis Championships had been pencilled in, but the launch is now likely to be some time in 2017.

If anyone can help with information, photographs or funding, contact Aotearoa Maori Tennis on info@amta.co.nz or (09) 278 6591.

Garratt would especially like to hear from anyone who might be in the photograph (above), thought to have been taken in the 1960s, of Morrison coaching Tarewa Juniors at the Koutu Tennis Courts.