Tennis: Local hero still a long way off

The Auckland tennis open is a key to finding the elusive successor to Chris Lewis and Brett Steven, says TERRY MADDAFORD.

Graham Pearce always hopes that somewhere among the ballboys at the international tennis open each year is lurking another Chris Lewis or Brett Steven.

While the success of the Heineken Open as a stop on the ATP Tour is assured, Pearce, as a tour board member and tournament director, would like nothing more than another homegrown star.

Not since Lewis in 1985 has a New Zealander won his country's open. More recently, Steven went closest when beaten 4-6, 4-6 by Czech Jiri Novak in a rain-delayed 1996 final.

But this lack of local success does not faze Pearce as each year he attempts to bring the world's best to Stanley St.

"We have a mission statement which simply says our aim is to promote and develop tennis in Auckland," said Pearce, who is also chief executive of Auckland Tennis. "Each year we set out to give tennis here a profile. The Heineken Open is our spot on the world tour. Sure, we sometimes see Davis Cup here but that is a lucky dip.

"Other sports like rugby, cricket and netball get on-going exposure, but for tennis, the ATP and women's WTA touch down in New Zealand only once a year. We have to make the most of that exposure."

Pearce said the tournaments were the best chance to promote interest among young players in the hope they would be inspired to try and attain the levels reached by New Zealand's best players, such as Onny Parun, Lewis, Brian Fairlie, Kelly Evernden and Steven.

"Now there is a bit of a gap, but it is crucial we keep the tournament here," said Pearce.

"It provides a vehicle for these aspiring players. It is a global event. Probably only the New Zealand Rally attracts such an international field each year.

"Sure the lion's share of the prizemoney goes offshore. So be it.

"We have a well-organised, well-run event which promotes our sport and creates funds for Auckland and New Zealand tennis. While it would be nice to have a Kiwi among the winners, that would be the cream on the cake. Without this event there would be no top [men's] tennis in New Zealand.

"If we take these events away we lose the vehicle which gives our players their chance. It is important to have a showcase. Whether I remain on the ATP board or not, I will fight to keep our tournament, which is regarded as one of the best."

But that does not mean handing out wildcards to Kiwi players willy nilly.

Only Mark Nielsen was given one into the main draw this year - three others had their chance in the qualifying tournament. Pearce makes no apologies for that.

"I would dearly love to give all [three] wildcards to New Zealanders, but we have to be realistic. Only Mark Nielsen - and he played well against Greg Rusedski in his first-round match - deserved one.

"Breaking through is very tough, but once we have the players who look like doing that, I will certainly see they get their chance."

Rain which kept crowds away on Wednesday night and for most of Thursday cost organisers a near-certain record attendance.

"We had between 22,000 and 23,000, which is only slightly down on our record of a year earlier of 25,000 and 26,000," said Pearce. "Losing that walkup crowd cost us the chance of maybe having 27,000. This year's crowds were still our second-best ever."

With rain insurance and a slight increase in ticket prices, organisers expect about the same return as last year.

The same money, $US350,000 ($785,000), paid out this year will be up for grabs in 2002. It will increase by $US25,000 the following year.

"Prizemoney only ever goes up," said Pearce. "The players are no more demanding, but we are dealing more and more with agents. They have become a necessary evil, especially when it comes to appearance fees."