N.Z. will win tie: Roche

Press, 2 March 1982, Page 34

N.Z. will win tie: Roche

One person not afraid to predict a New Zealand win against Spain in the Davis Cup tennis tie between the two countries at Wilding Park on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, is the renowned Australian player, Tony Roche, who, for the second successive year, will coach the New Zealand team.

“It will be a tough tie but I think New Zealand will win,” said Roche. Asked whether he.thought the odds were 6040 in New Zealand’s favour, he replied: “A little better than that.”

Roche said that the Spanish names he was familiar with were not among the Spanish team for the tie but

he added that while they Were not household names in world tennis it would be foolish to underestimate them: “You only have to look and see who they have beaten.”

But the grass surface should favour New Zealand said Roche and “it is always nice to be playing at home.”

Roche believes that the New Zealand team will be every bit. as ready as it was last year for the tie against Great Britain. Chris Lewis, who is certain to be a key player in the singles, has been practising in Sydney with Roche and Ken Rosewall for the last two weeks. “He’s put in a lot of work and is superfit and

Russell Simpson has just competed in a W.C.T. tournament.” Although New Zealand’s doubles play in previous Davis Cup ties has been somewhat disappointing, the craggy-faced Australian, himself among the world’s greatest doubles exponents, sees no reason why New Zealand cannot build formidable combinations.

“The way the world circuit is it makes it difficult for singles players to get together and play doubles regularly, but Jeffrey (Simpson), Onny (Panin), Chris and Russell are all experienced doubles players who have had successes. We’ll be work-

ing on the ingredients we have to find a good doubles team.”

Roche said that New Zealand players were fully aware of what Davis Cup tennis was all about and that they would be physically and mentally prepared when they stepped on court on Friday. “That’s what we are trying for and we’ll do it.” Both the New Zealand and Spanish teams had morning and afternoon workouts at Wilding Park yesterday but activity at the venue was not confined to playing tennis. Officals and helpers were busy erecting scaffolding and seating and doing tidying up chores in preparation for the tie.