'Court' Power at Clark

by Bill Nichols

    The big story at next weekend's first Bonne Bell Cup tennis matches at Clark Stadium, of course, is the impending battle between Chris Evert and Evonne Goolagong, but it's far from the entire tale.

    As exciting as these youngsters are, neither one is yet in the class of the captain of the Australian team, Margaret Smith Court.

    Mrs. Court will lead her Aussie lasses against some of the finest women tennis players in the United States in the first meeting ever between gal players from these two tennis-nutty nations.

    Mrs. Court is expected to play  only in a doubles match.  She is slowly coming off her umpteenth retirement.  She had her first child four months ago and only now is rounding into playing condition.

    When Mrs. Court is right, there isn't a female player in the world who can beat her.  Two years ago she won the women's Grand Slam, the Wimbledon, Australian, French and United States championships.  Altogether she has won at least one of these crowns 17 times.

    Coincidentally, in her last try at a Wimbledon title in 1971, she lost in the finals to Miss Goolagong.  Overall, however, Margaret holds a commanding 8-2 lead over her countrywoman.

    With Margaret Court playing only in doubles, even Jimmy the Greek will have problems quoting odds on the upcoming matches.  It has to be rated a toss-up -- and probably will be decided when 17-year-old Chris takes on 20-year-old Evonne with 30-year-old Margaret looking on.

    The best-of-seven matches run Friday through Sunday beginning each day at 2:00 p.m.

    The  American team will start working out at Clark Stadium Monday, but the Aussies aren't expected until Thursday.