Evening star., 1953-01-05
Sedgman Is Ready
For Pro Debut After
Blast at Critics
By the Associoted Press

LOS ANGELES, Jan. s.
Frank Sedgman blasts his way
into the professional tennis pic
ture tomorrow night when he
faces Jack Kramer here in the
opener of a five-month tour.
Sedgman and his Australian
Davis Cup team partner, Ken
Met cGregor, arrived here by plane
yesterday and Sedgman paused
from tennis practice long enough
for some barbed replies to his
critics in Australia.
Under the pro contract, the
Aussies get a 100000 guarantee,
with rs per cent going to Frank
and Is to McGregor. They'll
also get a percentage if gate
receipts warrant and a chance
to play for purses in pro tour
neys.
Asked if he expected to beat
Kramer, one of the worlds best
pros and his opponent on the
tour. Sedgman replied: II hope
to do well against him. I've
seen him play, but never played
against him."
About 80 Dates Scheduled.
McGregor will face Pancho
Segura in singles and the Aussies
will battle the Americans in
doubles. About 80 playing dates
are planned. (The pros will play
in Washington January 14-15 at
Uline Arena.)
Both Sedgman. Is, and Nc
Gregor. %, appeared in top
shape for their debut against
the 31-year-old opponents.
I'VE had a fine trip over" +"
McGregor said. I'VE. were both
right on top Of form for the
Davis Cup matches and it won't
take long to regain that form. %
A pair Of high-ranking Aus
tralian tennis fathers have made
it clear they didn't approve Of
the decision to turn professional
and wouldn't give their country
men any help.
"We'd hoped they would help
u.s." Sedgman said. II don't
think it is very nice when we
helped tennis there over the last
three years. I think it's a bit
tough on U.s."
Amateurs Control Playing Sites.
Frank was nettled over q state
ment by Sir Norman Brookes.
president Of the Lawn Tennis
Association of Australia, that
amateur associations here would
not like a sponsored professional
tour" He said it was a matter
Tor the state associations whether
they would allow professionals
to use their home grounds.
Bryan Fuller, president Of the
New South Wales Lawn Tennis
Association, said in Sydney IL
would be unthinkable for his as
sociation to sponsor a visit by
the pros.
Iii the United States. where
the pros set up their canvas
courts in schools. auditoriums
and other locales, this wouldn't
mean much. But in Australia
the amateur tennis associations
own the stadiums where the pros
have played and hope to play
again.
"It would be easy enough fol
him to say. All right, you car
play there" Sedgman said o1
Brookes.
Pair Offered Jobs, Says Brookes
The Australians refused to an
nounce they were turning pre-
until after a visit with Brookes
last week.
"EIe was a bit disappointed
but wished us the best Of luck,
Sedgman recalled.
Brookes said in Melbourne
that he had offered the pair in.
surance company jobs with an
nual salaries Of $3.367.50 the
first year. increasing to $11.22s
the fourth year and a chance te
buy q string Of service stations
at low interest. These bust.
nesses, he said, would permit
the two to continue playing as
amateurs.
There was nothing concrete. >
Sedgman said. Nothing you
could say yes or no. to. We de-
cided Kramer's offer was toe
good to turn down"