Women’s Tennis in Search of Another Leading Lady

Chris Evert recalls the story fondly, 10 years later.

When she lost to Steffi Graf in the final of the 1987 Virginia Slims of Manhattan Beach, the original version of this week’s Acura Classic, the first person to greet Evert in the locker room was tournament promoter Jerry Diamond.

“I’m sorry you lost,” he said with an enthusiasm that betrayed his true feelings, “but this is great for women’s tennis.”

Two days later, when Evert calmed down, she called to tell Diamond he was right.

The incident was on Evert’s mind for two reasons during a visit to Los Angeles.

One is that this Manhattan Beach tournament is the first one Diamond, her close friend, hasn’t promoted. He died last December at 68.

The other is that women’s tennis again needs a player to come to the forefront, as it did 10 summers ago in Manhattan Beach when Graf ended the seven-year hold on the No. 1 ranking by Evert and Martina Navratilova.

Don’t misunderstand. Evert likes the current No. 1, Martina Hingis.

But, for the good of the sport, Evert would like to see Hingis challenged more than she has been during a year in which the 16-year-old Swiss Miss has won 55 of 56 matches and reached 11 consecutive finals.

“I had Martina, Steffi had Monica [Seles],” Evert said. “Who does she have?”

Answering her own question, Evert named two players to consider in the future. Both are from the past.

One is Graf, who recently underwent knee surgery and reportedly is considering retirement at 26.

Evert doesn’t believe it.

“I know Steffi,” she said. “She’s got too much desire to quit.”

The other is Jennifer Capriati, who, at 21, appears to have little desire, withdrawing from more tournaments this year than she’s played. But when she was playing in January, she took Hingis to three sets.

“I’ve tried to help Jennifer, but she doesn’t trust many people right now,” Evert said. “It’s sad because she could have been No. 1. She still could be.”

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In a recent letter to The Times, it’s apparent Coliseum Commissioner Sheldon H. Sloan misunderstood my position on the NFL’s return to the Coliseum. . . .

I’m all for it. . . .

My point in a previous column was that Coliseum proponents, if they feel they have the best stadium proposal, should be eager to present it to State Sen. Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles) and his subcommittee on Professional Sports Teams. . . .

And they are, John Semcken, a spokesman for the effort, said Wednesday. . . .

They didn’t agree to appear originally because of vacation schedules. Now that the hearing has been postponed, probably until next month, they will be there. . . .

I’m skeptical about whether they can win over the only people who have a vote, the NFL owners, but Semcken said he and his colleagues have just begun to sell. . . .

They’ve invited several NFL owners to the Coliseum for the Sept. 6 USC-Florida State game. . . .

The next day, the Pacific Coast League’s glory days will be remembered when a plaque is placed at the site of Gilmore Field, the former home of the Hollywood Stars. It’s now CBS’ Studio 46. . . .

Bud Selig’s realignment plan would create a West Coast division looking a lot like the old PCL. . . .

“All we need are Sacramento and Portland,” said Dick Beverage of Placentia, president of the PCL Historical Society. . . .

Cal Ripken and his father, Cal Sr., are conducting a baseball clinic Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Big A sponsored by Chevy Trucks and the Babe Ruth Baseball Organization. . . .

Angel pitching coach Marcel Lachemann, who stepped down as the team’s manager a year ago Wednesday, faces a challenge in Ken Hill. . . .

Hitters say they know which pitches are coming because he doesn’t conceal the ball. . . .

I wish I had a tip for Dave Wallace on Todd Worrell. . . .

LA SPORTS apparel soon will be available in South Korea. The L.A. Sports Council, which is marketing its logo there, expects it to sell well because of Chan Ho Park’s success with the Dodgers. . . .

For the first time since 1983, one logo you don’t see much at track and field’s World Championships is the Santa Monica Track Club’s. . . .

Circle this date: Ron Wilson’s Washington Capitals will meet Pierre Page’s Mighty Ducks on Dec. 12 at The Pond of Anaheim.

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While wondering how many more games Bill Russell will “live and die” with Worrell, I was thinking: Terry Collins was smart not to give up on Troy Percival, or maybe lucky because there was no one like Darren Dreifort to replace him, Roy Jones Jr. acts as though he has something to prove again.