Auckland Tennis chief Graham Pearce has been caught short by the announcement that the former world No 1 John McEnroe is to play an exhibition here this summer.
"Yes, we have been talking to the International Management Group and yes, it does look promising. But no, nothinghas been signed and until we have a contract in our hands nothing will be confirmed," said Pearce last night.
Originally it was planned McEnroe would play Australian Pat Cash in two exhibitions - one in Australia, the second in New Zealand (almost certainly Christchurch). But the Australians have since pulled out, opening the way for a second exhibition in New Zealand.
The timing would be perfect.
It is planned to play the match here in early February when the ASB Bank Tennis Centre at Stanley St is in "tournament mode" for the ASB Classic and Heineken Open and the beach volleyball which follows in late January.
The exhibitions would, according to Pearce, "come cheaper" than a similar exercise a couple of years ago when Steffi Graf played in Auckland and Christchurch against Jelena Dokic.
McEnroe left a sour taste when he and Ivan Lendl made a fleeting visit for an exhibition before being flown virtually from courtside back to the airport.
"It is a different John McEnroe these days," said Pearce.
"He has mellowed but is still playing entertaining tennis. He will be in Australia doing commentary work at the Open so it seemed a logical move.
"I just wish they [IMG] had held back until things were confirmed before saying anything."
Meanwhile, Pearce said he was encouraged with discussions he had with players' agents while at the US Open as he sought players for January's Heineken Open.
"We made some progress and I would be disappointed if we don't have a top-10 player and at least two or three top 20 players here.
"We hope to have something in place by the end of October as public tickets go on sale in mid-November.
"There has already been a strong interest in the corporate boxes."
