Cash & Tennis

Wielding a checkbook instead of a racket, John Albert Kramer promotes professional tennis with the same drive and skill that once made him a champion. In recent years Promoter Kramer has used his checkbook to buy the services of many a top amateur star, and has repeatedly riddled amateur ranks and Davis Cup hopes. Last week Jack Kramer signed top U.S. Amateur Tony Trabert, 25, to a pro contract. He was also bidding strongly to get the Australian stars, Lew Hoad and Ken Rosewall, into the pro ranks.

Not too long ago (1947) the world's top amateur himself, Kramer can talk convincingly to younger players about the advantages of turning pro. Kramer knows that amateur tennis is not always pure, that players get paid on the side and serve as social pets for rich backers. "People respect you more when you make your own way," Kramer tells the youngsters. "More important, you respect yourself more." Jack demolishes the argument that there is something nobler or more socially acceptable about being an amateur. "That's a lot of bunk." He tells tennis amateurs bluntly: "When you're finished as an amateur, you're really finished. So get it while you can."

To prove that they can get it by turning pro, Jack Kramer reels off names of some of the ex-amateurs who did well in the pro game in recent years. Pancho Segura: "He has a $30,000 home .. . and between $40,000 and $60,000 in a coffee can somewhere." Don Budge: "He has annuities, a long-term sporting goods contract, the management of two tennis clubs, not to mention a laundry, which he owns." Frank Sedgman: "He's worth $80,000 . . . a success story."

To these success stories Promoter Kramer should have a few more to add after his next pro tour is over. Trabert is guaranteed $75,000, Hoad and Rosewall, if they accept, $45,000 apiece. Promoter Kramer expects to net the better part of $250,000 after paying expenses.

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