University of Virginia Library

South Africa May Prohibit
Ashe From Playing There

If Arthur Ashe, one of the top
American tennis amateurs, applies
for a visa to South Africa to play in
the open tennis tournaments there
next year, he may not be welcome.
In fact, he may not be granted the
visa.

South Africa sports minister
Frank Waring based his announcement
on the assumption that the
native Richmond Virginia black
would come to South Africa for the
purpose of political activity against
the apartheid government.

A few days ago a new tennis
body, the South African Tennis
Players' Association, asked the
South African government to allow
Ashe to compete in tennis in that
country.

Waring additionally opposed
Ashe's participation in South African
tennis competition on the
grounds that Ashe had demonstrated
an unfriendly and sometimes
threatening attitude to the country.
Furthermore, he stated the fact
that Ashe had signed the petition
for boycott of the 1968 Olympic
Games in Mexico City if South
Africa was allowed to enter.

Ashe has shown some desire to
go to South Africa to play in their
national championships to try the
country's strict apartheid policies.
South Africa has allowed opposing
non-whites to take part in Davis
Cup play within their country, but
their teams have remained segregated.

South Africa's position on their
own national championships is
unclear, but apparently they want
no blacks.

Owen Williams, who promoted
the U.S. Open at Forest Hills, holds
the same position now with the
South African Lawn Tennis Association.
He and the rest of that
organization are whole-heartedly in
favor of letting Ashe and other
international black tennis stars
participate.

Drysdale and his fellow South
African netters hold a like opinion.

However, the decisions as to
whether the black players will
compete rests on the government in
granting them visas.