Tennis New Zealand Land

"When you wish upon a star , your dreams come true" but if your a tennis player in this country it might be wish in one hand and s**t in the other"
Another Former Davis Cup Player with "tennis balls" stood up and voiced his concern over New Zealand Tennis and the Davis Cup Selection.Former Davis Cup player Adam Thompson has fired a broadside at Tennis New Zealand for picking Matt Simpson in the squad for this weekend's tie against Lebanon at Albany.Simpson is ranked 1566 in the world and has been chosen ahead of a handful of higher ranked players, along with top junior Cameron Norrie.

Simpson spent much of last year playing club tennis in Germany.Thompson argues Tennis New Zealand would have been better to give a youngster a spot on the team.

He says Lebanon are not the strongest team and he would include a top junior to gain some experience.

Adam Thompson says at the very least the selection should have been done on ATP ranking and a higher class criteria.

This on top of New Zealand's top player Rubin Statham pulling out of the tie and speaking out over issues with TNZ.

He pulled no punches and put the blame on New Davis Cup Captain Hunt and Jeff Simpson...Matt Simpsons father and lack of criteria.

Here are the links to Thompson's interview on Radio Sport today PART 1 the segment starts around 10.15 into the time slot and continues PART 2

How much longer can ordinary people put up with applicants getting positions over others with better credentials not only at the playing end but throughout the country in Administrative and coaching positions.

Its one fiasco to another and good on Thompson for speaking his mind.Below is listed the ATP New Zealand ranked men.Youngster Norrie should of been blooded in this tie where Lebanon will not win a rubber!

*As a matter of interest the "eye" worked with Lebanon's top player Bassam Beidas whilst as Head Coach at the Smash Tennis Academy Cairo ,Egypt.Bassam is unavailable through injury .

1. Rubin (José) Statham			Current	Previous
	Singles Ranking Doubles Ranking		345   178	345  180
2. Daniel King-Turner			Current	Previous
	Singles Ranking Doubles Ranking		375 436	376  298
3. Michael Venus			Current	Previous
	Singles Ranking Doubles Ranking		514 416	514  291
4. Artem Sitak	Singles Ranking Doubles Ranking		Current 553 279	Previous 538 278
5. Marcus Daniell			Current	Previous
	Singles Ranking Doubles Ranking		693  319	693 321
6. Sebastian Lavie			Current	Previous
	Singles Ranking Doubles Ranking		791   735	791 735
7. Marvin Barker			Current	Previous
	Singles Ranking Doubles Ranking		1003 347	1003  347
8. Logan Mackenzie   9. Ben McLachlan	Singles RankingDoubles Ranking Singles Ranking Doubles Ranking		Current   1184  802  Current 1240 1507	Previous   1185 802 Previous 1240 1507
10. Finn Tearney	Singles Ranking Doubles Ranking		Current  1300  1208	Previous 1301 1208
11.Matthew Simpson	Singles Ranking Doubles Ranking		Current 1566  874	Previous  1567   874