On Tuesday evening last at the ASB Tennis Suite, Ruia Morrison MBE was welcomed by Ngati Whatua tribal members led by kaumatua Danny Tumahai.
At an invitation by the Tennis Auckland CEO Brent Robinson and Board members, Ruia was introduced to Ngati Whatua by Aotearoa Maori Tennis President Dick Garratt and a Rotorua support group of Monty Morrison, Geoff & Leona Kaye and Aliya Edwards.
Dick gave a brief on Ruia’s world-wide tennis achievements including winning the current Women’s title twice at the ASB Tennis Centre in 1959 and 1960, defeating the great Margaret Court (Smith) in one final.
Ngati Whatau was overwhelmed by her successes, which are unknown to them and further invitations are imminent by Ngati Whatua to Ruia.
Dick explained the up-coming book on Ruia’s own story “Tikitere to Wimbledon & the World – Ruia Morrison” so that the full story of her successes can be told to our nation and the world, so that Ruia can be fully heralded here in Aotearoa.
Ngati Whatua acknowledged the 90 years of Maori tennis and its recent successful tournament, and the strengthening of the relationship between AMTA, Tennis Auckland and Ngati Whatua.
