Panel Votes to Open Olympics to Tennis Pros

The millionaire stars of tennis moved to the brink of Olympic eligibility today under an experimental plan that asks them to give up prize money and endorsement contracts for a month in 1988.

It also tells them that, if they don’t want to play for their country in the Davis Cup or the Federation Cup, they can forget about a shot at Olympic glory.

The proposal, drawn up by the International Tennis Federation, was adopted unanimously by the executive board of the International Olympic Committee.

Basically, the plan makes professional tennis players amateurs for the two weeks of the Games, plus a two-week training period beforehand. With the Games beginning Sept. 17, the training would begin almost immediately after the end of the U.S. Open in New York.

No Financial Reward

“A player may not accept, either directly or indirectly, any form of financial reward for his participation in or results of the Olympic tournament,” the proposed code says.

Players also would have to suspend lucrative uniform endorsement contracts to comply with general Olympic rules.