South Africa to Host ATP Doubles Event

South Africa received another signal that it is being reunited with the international sporting community when the Assn. of Tennis Professionals announced Saturday that it had scheduled the World Doubles Final for Johannesburg.

While professional tennis tournaments have been held in South Africa for many years, the doubles championships will represent the highest level of competition played in the country since it was isolated for a policy of racial segregation.

“We are pleased by the progress which has been made in South Africa over the past two years,” Mark Miles, chief executive officer of the ATP Tour, said in announcing the $1-million event scheduled for Nov. 18-24.

“The return of world-class tennis to South Africa will be an inspiration to current and future tennis players,” said Chris Ngcobo, president of Tennis South Africa, the country’s governing body.

South Africa, a founding member of the International Tennis Federation, was never expelled although it kept a low profile and did not participate in Davis Cup competition.