1967 Tennis

Nadal to play Federer here in Rockhampton could you imagine it. Temporary grand stands would be needed to accommodate the crowds as nowhere would be big enough to host it. The entourage of umpires, referees, lines people, security, racquet stringers, caterers, physios, and media would be beyond comprehension for just 2 players. It couldn’t happen, especially not while they’re both top 10 players in the world, could it! In February 1967 the equivalent did happen in Rockhampton, then current world No. 1 played top 10 player, a former No. 1, Pancho Gonzales. The No. 1 player in 1967 was Rockhampton’s own Rod Laver. It was played on an ant bed surface where court 3 is at the front of the Rockhampton Regional Tennis Centre in Victoria Park. When I heard about this last Saturday night I was surprised not hearing about it previously. Rockhampton was one of the venues in an Australia versus United States tour. The other Australian playing was now well known tennis commentator Fred Stolle. Firms now practically unknown in Rockhampton, Wilson Hart and Hyne & Sons, supplied the wood for the temporary seating that extended out to where the CQ NRL Bid Club is now located. Volunteers assembled and dismantled the seating. Apparently the south side pool had only just been completed and the first to jump in were the volunteers the night they had finished assembling the stands. About 2000 attended the tennis, after the original night had been washed out. Local players were linesman’s quite happy to show an irritable Gonzales marks of where the ball had gone in. Laver won the match, much to the crowd’s approval. It’s amazing what treasures one hears. I had attended a function acknowledging the 50th anniversary of the Rod Laver Hall at Victoria Park. The stories and names were being relived; “Margaret Smith (later Margaret Court) match against Robyn Ebbern was the best match played at Victoria Park”, according to Rockhampton Tennis Association life member Ted Conrad. The 62 grand slam winner played here, “yes Warren, all the greats played here at some time”, said Ted. Could it happen again? Maybe, in the meantime let’s keep hearing great stories of Rockhampton and Central Queensland, ones we can draw aspiration from.