The State of Play

August 2011

Australia is back in the hunt but atough draw hasn’t helped our cause.

Following Australia’s 3-1 defeat ofChina in the Asia/Oceania secondround our team has been drawn toface Switzerland in the World Groupplay-offs from 16 to 18 September.

The two nations last met in 2006 whenAustralia won 3-2 in Geneva in aWorld Group first round tie.Significantly, Roger Federer did notplay in that tie and StanislasWawrinka, presently ranked 16 wasnot highly ranked at the time. If bothplayers are available in September the

singles rubbers will be quite a challenge. Whereas Australia hasseveral potential doubles pairingsSwitzerland lacks a well credentialeddoubles team. Wawrinka (108) andFederer (131) are the top ranked doubles players but both play doubles infrequently. Only YvesAllegro (148) is a regular on the doubles circuit.

Australia has a 4-0 winning record sincewe first played Switzerland in 1930. Inour favour this time is the fact that wewill have home ground for the tie butTennis Australia has yet to announcewhich city will host the contest.

The nations in the World Group play-offs are as follows:

Romania v Czech RepublicRussia v BrazilIsrael v CanadaSouth Africa v CroatiaChile v ItalyJapan v IndiaBelgium v AustriaAustralia v Switzerland.

Bernard Tomic pictured during his winning singles rubber in Beijing.

Lleyton Hewitt and Chris Guccione combined well for a 3-0 win in the doubles against China.

Congratulations Luke Saville

Luke Saville is this year’s winner ofthe Wimbledon Boys’ Championship.

In a terrific comeback from a set andtwo games to love down, SouthAustralian Luke Saville defeatedBritain’s Liam Broady 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 totake out the Boys’ final.

It was Liam Broady who spoiled hopesof an all Aussie final when he defeatedJason Kubler in their semi final.

Our congratulations also go to theWimbledon Girls’ champion,Australia’s Ashleigh Barty, whodefeated Russian Irina Khromachevain the final.

Although Ashleigh won in straightsets it was a very close match, with a7-5, 7-6(3) scoreline.

For Your Diary

Davis Cup tie, Australia v Switzerland, 16-18 September 2011

Davis Cup tie dinner (tentative), 17 September 2011

ADCTF Annual Meeting, 21 November 2011

Australian Open Tennis, 16-29 January 2012

ADCTF AO lunch, 27 January 2012

Foundation’s New Web Site

www.adctf.org is our exciting newdevelopment.

Our new web site is nearing completionalthough it is still a work in progressand some detail and features are yet to

be added. Members are encouraged tovisit the site and browse through it.Apart from the Newsletter, the nextAnnual Report and other Items of interest to members, you will find thatyou can also sign up a new member,amend your details and pay your subscription on line.

Importantly, the new site will enhancecommunication with members andkeep you up to date with tennis newsand views in a more timely and costeffective manner.

For the Record

Australia d China 3-1Asia/Oceania second round, Beijing, 8-10 July

SinglesBernard Tomic d Ze Zhang 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4Di Wu d Marinko Matosevic 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4

DoublesLleyton Hewitt/Chris Guccione dMao Xin Gong/Zhe Li 6-4, 6-4, 6-4

SinglesLleyton Hewitt d Ze Zhang 6-2, 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(2)

New Board Members

Two new directors have been appointed to theFoundation’s Board to fill the vacancies left by theretirement of Brian Tobin and Des O’Brien.

Robert Hinton has been involved in TennisAdministration for over 20 years, at both Club and Statelevel. He was a regular Pennant player with Royal SouthYarra Tennis Club for over 18 years. Early in that time as aplayer he was invited onto the Club Captain’s committee.He became Captain, Vice-President and then President ofthe Club from 2006 until 2009.

During his time as Captain of Royal South Yarra, he guided the return of the Club to the top level of VictorianTennis and saw both the Club’s men’s and women’s teamssecuring State Pennant victories. He also represented theClub on the Tennis Victoria Council for many years. Robertremains passionate about the encouragement and advance-ment of young tennis players, and during his time onCommittee, he significantly expanded the scholarshipscheme at Royal South Yarra.

Robert is a partner of a legal firm in Melbourne and is married with three daughters.

Robert Jamieson has joined the Board to take over therole of treasurer. He is an experienced administrator who iscurrently treasurer and Tennis Victoria delegate of EasternRegion Tennis Inc. and secretary of the Glen Iris TennisClub in Victoria. He is also a member of the Tennis VictoriaAudit and Governance Committee, the PlayerDevelopment Focus Group and the Disciplinary Tribunal.

Australia’s Top Ten MenESP - Entry SystemPositions as at 4 July

1 Bernard Tomic (Qld) 71

2 Marinko Matosevic (Vic) 141

3 Matthew Ebden (WA) 157

4 Lleyton Hewitt (SA) 173

5 Chris Guccione (Vic) 217

6 Greg Jones (NSW) 219

7 Carsten Ball (resides USA) 225

8 Peter Luczac (Vic) 231

9 James Lemke (Vic) 240

10 John Millman (Qld) 252

Our top ranked doubles playersare as follows:

1 Paul Hanley (Qld) 32

2 Stephen Huss (Vic) 72

3 Carsten Ball (resides USA) 92

4 Chris Guccione (Vic) 94

5 Ashley Fisher (NSW) 100

Privacy Policy

In keeping with modern business practice your Foundation subscribes tothe 11 national privacy principles setdown under the National Privacy Act.

We have formally documented thispolicy and members can be assured ofthe privacy of any information they

Your Help Please

Subscription payment identificationis important.

Members paying their annual subscription by direct credit to theFoundation’s bank account arereminded that it is important toinclude the payer and/or invoicenumber and surname in the‘Description’ area to assist the identification of the payment on thebank statement.

Robert Hinton has filledthe vacancy on the Boardcreated by the retirementof Brian Tobin.

Robert Jamieson replacesDes O'Brien as theFoundation's Treasurer.

Robert’s other interest is chess, at which he was Australian champion andserved as President of the Australian Chess Federation.

supply to us and used to deliver services to members.

Any members wishing to familiarisethemselves with our policy may view itat the Foundation’s website or contactthe Secretariat which will forward acopy to you.

The Beijing Tie and Tour

Alan Pullyblank and friends reporton their wonderful tour to China.

A group of 15 Davis Cup TennisFoundation members made thejourney to Beijing to attend Australia’ssecond round tie on 8th-10th July, 2011.Much was at stake.

The matches were played in anextremely good spirit in front of anenthusiastic crowd in a stadium holding 4,000. It echoed to the chantsof local supporters whose behaviourwas exemplary. Although the singlesranking of the Chinese players was inthe 300-400 range, against this inequal-ity with the Australians the home courtand home crowd favoured the Chinese.

The Australians selected to play wereLleyton Hewitt, Bernard Tomic,Marinko Matosevic and ChrisGuccione. In the opening singlesmatch Tomic won fairly comfortably infour sets. However, in a five set struggle Matosevic was not quitestrong enough to get over the line inthe second singles. In the doubles,Hewitt and Guccione teamed upextremely well to win in straight sets.So at the end of day two the score wasAustralia 2 to China 1.

The decisive reverse singles on Sundaybetween Lleyton Hewitt and rising 21year old Zeng Ze was easily the mostexciting and a nail biting contest, withHewitt securing the tie 7-6 in the fourthset. Team Captain Pat Rafter’s gracious

and appropriate remarks in the nextday’s issue of the “China Daily” saysmuch about the spirit of the tie.

“We were very impressed with theChinese Team. I thought they wereabsolutely brilliant in the way theyfought hard …at the end of the daythey were impressive and all of Chinashould be very proud of them.

Some of our (Australian) kids couldlearn a lot from the dedication theyshow. Sometimes in Australia we haveit very easy because it’s a great andbeautiful place to live and sometimesyou wonder why you want to step out-side your comfort zone … you need acertain toughness.

If any of our kids saw what was happening out on that court today theywould see what it takes to be a playerand what it is to represent your country. Today on both sides, you sawwhat toughness was all about”.

Our trip incorporated a memorablesight-seeing tour organised by Ian Janeof Bentleigh Travel. For first time visitors this was a perfect introduction to the Middle Kingdomduring which we could appreciatewondrous antiquities, as well as take inthe transformation which has happened over the last 40 years.

The tour started at Xian, the site of theTerracotta Warriors, and in Beijing theGreat Wall, Tiananmen Square, the

Forbidden City, the Summer Palaceand the Ming Tombs were visited.From Beijing the tour moved toShanghai. Highlights there includedan evening cruise on the river and avisit to Suzhou which is on the GrandCanal of Marco Polo fame and the centre of China’s silk making industry.Of special interest was a visit to aUNESCO listed historic garden.

Our tour concluded with a four dayoptional river boat cruise on theYangtze River. It started at the ThreeGorges and proceeded upstream for650 kilometres to the city ofChongqing. The scenery was spectacular but importantly for theeight members of the Foundation onboard it was a relaxing respite andwind down after the intense hustle andbustle of Beijing and Shanghai.

Needless to say there was ample scopefor the serious shoppers throughoutand the photographers among us wererichly rewarded.

Perhaps We CanHelp Each Other

Some members of the Foundation maybe in a position, through a businessassociation, to offer a benefit to othermembers that may generate a mutualadvantage.

This initiative will take the form of theprovision of goods or services at special rates to other members whichwill be offered through the Foundationand receive acknowledgement in publications and the web site.

Any member who wishes to discussany aspect of this opportunity shouldcontact Robert Parker at theFoundation’s office by email oninfo@adctf.org.au or personally onmobile number 0408006090.

Spreading the word

Neale Fraser will talk on the Davis Cupat the Eastern Region Tennis annualdinner to be held at Chirnside ParkCountry Club in Melbourne on 14October. Events such as this provide anopportunity to spread the word aboutthe Foundation.The Foundation members who toured to China during the tie.

Two long – serving Directors retired at the recent board meeting.

Brian Tobin, Vice President: As a player, Brian was ranked among the top 10 in Australia from1956-62 but his most lasting contributions to tennis occured off the court where he helped take thegame into uncharted waters. A visionary leader, he was a crucial figure in the evolution of “OpenTennis”. As President of the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia (1983-89), he played a pivotal rolein the development of a state-of-the-art tennis centre, revitalising the Australian Open and restoring it to world prominence. He served as President of the International Tennis Federationfrom 1991-99, displaying superb diplomatic skills.

Brian has served with distinction on our board for over 10 years and his contribution and expertisewill be greatly missed.

Des O’Brien, Treasurer:Des has resigned due to health reasons and we certainly wish him a speedyrecovery. He took on the position as Treasurer in 1994 and for the next 17 years looked after thefinancial affairs of the Foundation in exemplary fashion. He rarely missed a directors’ meeting andworked tirelessly behind the scenes, always keeping aclose eye on the Foundations investments.

We are indebted to you Des and are deeply grateful foryour long-standing commitment to the Foundation.

Compiled and edited by Ray Briggs (03) 95849328 Art by Erwins Printing 03 9793 4844 www.erwinsprinting.com.au

The Australian Davis Cup Tennis FoundationPO Box 342, Ivanhoe Vic 3079. Phone: (03) 9499 6228 Fax: (03) 9497 4333

Email: info@adctf.org.au Website: www.adctf.org

Thank You Gentlemen

Members’ Survey

Almost 60% of members completedour questionnaire.

Thank you to all who responded, theinformation you provided is invaluableand the board is very grateful for thefeedback. It is clear that communicationwith members is high on your collective agenda. As you will read elsewhere in this Newsletter, a newweb site and more frequent

distribution of information throughemail will help in addressing this issue.The winners of the competition conducted in conjunction with the survey, who each receive two seats atRod Laver Arena for a session of theAustralian Open are:

Leanne Perrins, Noble Park Vic.

Wayne Watson, Launceston Tas.

Robert Parker has been appointed to the post ofMarketing Administrator for the Foundation.

Robert is a former General Manager of the Royal SouthYarra Lawn Tennis Club, a position he held for 26 years.Over this time he made a significant contribution to thefinancial stability of the club enabling a period of substan-tial development and growth, including the establishmentof an indoor sports complex. Robert is married with threechildren and is a membert of the MCC and Kooyong LawnTennis Club. His other interests include golf and travel.

As marketing administrator Robert will be responsible for marketing the Foundation, the acquisition of new members andmembers’ ticketing for the Australian Open and Davis Cup.

Marketing Administrator Appointed

Robert Parker has beenappointed MarketingAdministrator for theFoundation.

Are Your ContactDetails Complete?

We recently developed a web site inorder to improve the timeliness of communications with you and toimprove the amount of information wecan provide.

In addition to the web site we will alsoprovide regular newsletters and updatesvia email. The annual report too will beavailable to you in email form.

Of course any members without anemail address will still receive correspondence from us in hard copyform as in the past. In addition, members with an email address mayelect to continue receiving the newsletter and annual report by mail.If you wish to do this, please advise theoffice at: info@adctf.org.au

In many instances our membershiprecords do not contain an emailaddress. Consequently we ask allmembers, where possible, to provide acurrent email address and to adviseany change of details to the office at:info@adctf.org.au

By providing information, through theinternet and email the Foundation willbe able to make significant cost savingsand provide information in a moretimely manner.

Retiring Vice-President,Brian Tobin

Retiring Treasurer, Des O’Brien