SNEAKERS CORNER

1972 champ Smith, whose name adorns the iconic tennis shoe, recalls when the top men took the huge step to go on strike 

- NEIL MCLEMAN

HE is now best known for his iconic tennis shoe still worn by Hollywood A-listers and the Royal Family, and rapped about by Jay-Z.

But American Stan Smith was first famous for winning Wimbledon in 1972 - and then refusing to defend his title 50 years ago when he joined a player boycott which changed pro tennis.

In May 1973, Yugoslav No.1 Niki Pilic was banned by the International Lawn Tennis Federation for missing a Davis Cup tie to play a lucrative doubles tournament in Montreal.

"We had just formed the ATP. One of the reasons was to allow us independent pros to be able to play when and where we wanted in the world, Smith, now 76, recalled.

"Before, we were controlled by our federations. We felt that it wasn't fair that Niki Pilic was not allowed to play because he wasn't in good standing with the Yugoslavian Federation because he didn't play in the Davis Cup for them."

With Wimbledon caught in the political crossfire, 81 players including 13 of the 16 seeds - joined the unprecedented action and the field was filled with British amateur players.

"Roger Taylor went back and forth, and then didn't join us," said Californian Smith, who now lives in South Carolina. "Mark Cox supported the boycott.

"For me, it was very difficult, but I thought it was the right thing to do and it really helped bond the players in our new association."