MORE THAN A DECADE of Hopman Cup is surely a fitting tribute to one of the
icons of Australian sport - and now the Harry Hopman influence will continue
in the International arena.
The Hopman Cup was named after the legendary Australian Davis Cup player and
champion coach and if the great man ever had a dream of an international
mixed teams event one day standing alongside the Davis Cup and the Fed Cup,
then he surely would be smiling now.
The decision by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to officially
sanction the Hopman Cup has given the mixed event an official home in the
world of tennis and certainly boosted its prospects of joining the Davis Cup
(for men) and the Fed Cup (for women) as genuine International teams
championships.
The Hopman influence on Australian tennis - and the world scene, for that
matter - has been enormous. He was recognised as one of the game's
outstanding coaches, guiding many of the Australia's best to champion status.
Names such as Frank Sedgman, Lew Hoad, Ken Rosewall, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson,
Ashley Cooper, Neale Fraser and John Newcombe from bygone eras owe a lot to
the master.
Even though Mr Hopman transferred his coaching establishment to Florida in
the 1970's, his influence continued and latter-day stars to come under his
guidance were John McEnroe, the late Vitas Gerulaitis, Andrea Jaeger and
Andres Gomez. Young Aussies flocked to America in search of his wisdom and
names such as the Wimbledon-winning doubles pair of Paul McNamee and Peter
McNamara were among his proteges.
The Hopman Cup was born out of admiration of Harry Hopman and when Australian
players McNamee, Charlie Fancutt and Pat Cash founded the international mixed
teams event, who better to dedicate the concept to than the man who guided
Australia to an incredible 15 Davis Cup victories.
The Hopman influence spreads across both genders as the late Mr Hopman's
first wife Nell was an outstanding player and it was her influence that
helped initiate the Federation Cup for international women's teams
representing their countries. Now re-named as the Fed Cup, it holds a high
place on the ITF calendar, alongside the Davis Cup and now the Hopman Cup.
The ITF decision to give the Hopman Cup official recognition and include the
event on the world calendar - which recognises the matches in the players
official head-to-head career records, among other advantages - is a dream
come true for the event's organisers.
The Hopman Cup is proud to be an Official Team Competition of the ITF.
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.csie.ntu.edu.tw)
◆ From: 61.64.84.223
※ 編輯: establish 來自: 61.64.84.223 (01/02 20:48)