By TERRY MADDAFORD
Julie Covington's 1978 hit Don't Cry For Me Argentina could well have been penned for that country's ever-rising number of tennis players.
Hardly regarded in the early days of the open era as a tennis power, the soccer-mad South American nation has become a world force, to the extent
that the top seeds for the ASB Classic and next week's Heineken Open are both Argentines.
For Paola Suarez and Guillermo Coria, it is uncharted territory, but an experience they relish.
"Tennis has always been popular in our country," said Alberto Mancini, a former world top-10 player who now coaches Coria, the world No 5.
"There is a lot of talent - and not just among the young kids.
"They can all hit the ball quite well but the big question is the mentality of the players.
"Given the state of the economy, nothing is easy in Argentina, but there is a fighting spirit. Now the sport is really improving because a lot of ex-players like myself are getting back into the game.
"The younger players can learn from our mistakes. When one or two get some good results, guys of the same age have the feeling they can do it, too."
"There is a good competitive spirit."
Tennis is played in all parts of Argentina, but remains some distance behind soccer in the popularity stakes.
"Maybe rugby is No 2, hockey three, then tennis and motorsport," Mancini said. "There is not a lot of money but for, say, $20 a month, kids can get out and play."
Suarez, 27, was born to play the sport.
"My parents worked at a tennis club," the world No 14 said.
"I started playing at eight and won my first tournament.
"When I was young there was not much help for the players. The economy is tough.
"Our sport needs sponsors, but there is not much help. Good young players need money to get ahead. It is a battle."
Suarez said that for women, tennis was second only to hockey.
"It has become more popular with the middle-class which means more are playing."
And more South Americans are on the world lists.
There are 12 Argentines in the top 133 on the ATP Tour and 27 South Americans in total in the top 200.
The women have not made the same impact, but six Argentines are in the top 200 on the WTA and one each from Paraguay and Colombia.
"Tennis has given me a better life," Suarez said.
"I have had the opportunity to go around the world. From the start I wanted to be a professional. I'm here now.
"It is nice to be recognised, but we will never be superstars like the soccer players."
She admits to being a big Boca Juniors fan.
Coria throws his support behind River Plate.
But on one thing they are unanimous. They want to play for their country at this year's Olympics.
No one, surely, would write them off as medal chances.
By TERRY MADDAFORD
Julie Covington's 1978 hit Don't Cry For Me Argentina could well have been penned for that country's ever-rising number of tennis players.
Hardly regarded in the early days of the open era as a tennis power, the soccer-mad South American nation has become a world force, to the extent
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