Grand Champions Tennis Tournament : Tom Gullikson Is Still the Master

What is more than 35 and a potential major senior?

Jimmy Connors.

Connors, 36, who has been just what the Grand Prix circuit has needed for nearly 2 decades, is just what the 35-and-over circuit needs, too.

“We need a superstar,” said Tom Gullikson, who is that current titleholder on the Prudential-Bache Grand Champions circuit. “We need Connors.

“We would have to give him a lot of money, obviously,” Gullikson said. “I don’t think $7,000 would do much for him.”

The Grand Champions circuit has offered $7,000 first-prize money in $40,000 events for its 7 years of existence.

Hank Pfister, who turned 35 in October, said now that play has improved on the circuit, the Grand Champions needs one thing to make it better: Connors.

“The question is, ‘Are we going to pay a little more money in this thing?’ ” Pfister asked. “Pay Connors $25,000 to show up for the week and we’ll get instant recognition. The circuit will take off.”

There is probably scant chance that Connors, who has other non-tennis interests, would play the 35-and-over circuit, which continues nicely in his absence.

Gullikson has been over 35 for 3 years and despite his age, he can clearly recall the moment he decided it was about time he quit playing the Grand Prix circuit.

It was 2 years ago in June and Gullikson’s opponent on Center Court at Wimbledon was a teen-ager named Boris Becker.

“Here I was, thinking I was in pretty good shape, and I’d get my racket back and his serves were hitting the backstop,” Gullikson said. “That’s when I decided I should start playing guys my own age.”

Guys Gullikson’s own age are having a difficult time beating him. On a dreary, foggy Sunday afternoon Gullikson beat Pfister, who is a whole 3 years younger, and won the Grand Champions tournament at Rancho San Clemente Tennis and Fitness Club.

The Grand Champions tour is for players who are at least 35 years old, and during 1988, Gullikson has dominated his age group, winning $48,400.

He has played in the 35-and-over division in 8 tournaments and has won 7 times, a remarkable string of success including victories at the U.S. Open and Wimbledon.

Pfister, the leading money winner on the Grand Champions tour with $53,000, took the match against his doubles partner to 3 sets before losing, 6-2, 6-7, 6-1.

Gullikson, a left-hander, got off on the right foot when Pfister lost his serve at love in the first game. Gullikson was able to force the action by charging the net, which upset the rhythm of Pfister, who prefers to remain on the baseline and slug groundstrokes.

After Gullikson took the first set in which Pfister offered only slight resistance, there were no service breaks in the second set, Pfister winning the tiebreaker, 9-7, after Gullikson missed a good chance to break at 4-4.

In that ninth game, Pfister fell behind, 15-40, but saved four game points and held his serve after a third deuce on a deep backhand winner that Gullikson couldn’t reach and a service winner.

Even though Gullikson and Pfister no longer play on the Grand Prix circuit, their match was well-received by an announced crowd of 1,000, many of whom watched while wrapped in blankets to keep warm.

Unlike the Grand Prix circuit, there were plenty of opportunities to practice some on-court comedy. Pfister began by complaining about a linesman who he said had called three winners out.

“I guess he didn’t get his 20 (dollar bill),” Pfister said.

From the other baseline, Gullikson said: ‘I gave him 50 (dollars).”

Later, Gullikson playfully turned his back to the net just as Pfister wound up to hit a volley past him.

Said Pfister: “I don’t know how I missed that big a target.”

“That could be the most amazing feat all day,” Pfister said.