Tennis: Martinez' return cuts NZ wildcards

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Caught in the politics of big-time women's tennis, tournament director Richard Palmer has had the number of wildcards for next week's showpiece cut to one.

The big losers are New Zealand's top players.

Only Shelley Stephens, the nation's No 1 and the winner at the New Zealand Residential championships at the weekend, has now been handed a place in the ASB Classic's main draw.

Palmer, who had originally hoped to give two players a start in the main-draw singles, said the reduction in the number of wildcards was unfortunate but something that he had little control over in the end.

But there are four wildcards into the qualifying tournament, and Palmer yesterday gave one to Leanne Baker.

The remaining qualifying spots are likely to go to Ilke Gers, Tracey O'Connor and Marina Erakovic.

Baker and Stephens were last night given wildcards into the main draw of the doubles.

All wildcards will be known by 4pm on Friday - two hours before the draw will be made. Qualifying starts on Saturday.

The problem arose when Conchita Martinez withdrew from the tournament to take the place of the now-retired Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in the Spanish team at the lucrative Hopman Cup in Perth.

Palmer immediately replaced Martinez with German Angelika Roesch, who was at the top of the "next in" list.

He had earlier added Austrian Patricia Wartusch as a replacement for American Corina Morariu, who had withdrawn through injury.

WTA bosses stepped in and said that Martinez had no right to withdraw from a tour event to play in what is seen as an exhibition.

Palmer, backed by WTA officials, then learned that Martinez was still keen to play in Auckland.

"But the only way that could happen was for me to give her a wildcard," said Palmer.

"Basically, it was because of Martinez' change of status for 2003.

"On that basis, and I feel it was more to do with her agent than Martinez, she withdrew from the ASB Classic and said she would play Hopman Cup.

"There has been a lot of to-ing and fro-ing since.

"The bottom line now is that the WTA have backed our tournament and Martinez has happily reconfirmed her desire to play here.

"Unfortunately, it has cost me one wildcard."

In another change, Italian Maria Elena Camerin has been given direct entry as the winner of the Pittsburgh Challenger.

Originally, American Marissa Irvin, as the winner of another tournament on the second-tier tour, had been touted as a main draw certainty.

The ASB Classic (proper) starts a week today.