Evert Is Now In, Burgin Is Out of Olympics

As expected, Chris Evert has been nominated by the U.S. Tennis Assn. to participate in the tennis competition at the Olympic Games in Seoul, an action that was criticized by the U.S. Olympic women’s coach because it left another player off the team.

Coach Marty Reissen called the handling of the change, which in effect forced Elise Burgin off the team, “awful.”

Burgin, who has been playing on the tour and for the Los Angeles Strings in TeamTennis this season, withdrew from the team, according to a USTA statement, because she has not completely recovered from arthroscopic knee surgery earlier this spring.

However, according to a source in professional tennis, the USTA statement was released without Burgin’s approval.

Said Riessen: “I think it’s awful. I think all principle has been lost. I think they’ve lost sight of what it’s all about, in wanting to have the best team possible. I think it was done horribly.”

Meanwhile, Burgin wouldn’t comment on the situation Friday night but has tentatively scheduled a press conference for Monday morning. Evert, who was preparing for her marriage today to former Olympic skier Andy Mill, was unavailable for comment Friday.

Burgin told the Baltimore Sun: “I can’t say anything. I just walked in from the airport. I’ll have my own statement in a couple of days.”

The controversy began when Evert told The Times Sunday that she had a change of heart and would accept the USTA’s invitation. That came as news to Riessen, Burgin and other members of the team, although under International Tennis Federation rules governing the Olympic Games, national governing bodies could make changes as late as this Sunday.

“Once Chris (Evert) indicated she wanted to go, everything fell into place,” USTA President Gordon Jorgensen told the Sun. “We wanted to go with the best the U.S. had to offer. . . . In the future, I would make it abundantly clear to everyone concerned that the initial selection was only tentative. I’d put less emphasis on the initial selection. Next time will be a lot easier.”

Evert, too, had been unaware of the July deadline until the USTA informed her of the option. The choice of Burgin, who is ranked 138th in the world, was questioned at Wimbledon by various tennis experts.

Evert told Times columnist Mike Downey that the USTA had asked her to reconsider the decision not to participate. But Evert’s agent, Bob Kain, didn’t remember who started the discussions.

Said Riessen: “In fairness to Chris, I don’t think she pushed for it.”

With Friday’s move, the members of the U.S. team are Evert, Pam Shriver and Zina Garrison. All three members are scheduled to play singles, and the doubles entry has not been determined. Burgin had been scheduled to compete in the doubles competition with Shriver.

Because Burgin has been playing all summer with the Strings--in fact, she played singles, doubles and mixed doubles against Fresno Thursday night--the reason given for her withdrawal would seem dubious, considering that the Olympics do not begin until Sept. 17.

“I’m not sure she did (withdraw),” Riessen said. “You’d have to ask her if she did. I haven’t talked to her. I’m just guessing. I’d be surprised if she withdrew. The actual fact is they don’t have to ask her (to withdraw).”

On the other hand, Riessen understands that the USTA is trying to field the best team possible and pointed out it isn’t surprising that mistakes have been made in the selection process because tennis has recently become an Olympic medal sport again.

“It’s too bad to have this happen to someone as nice and as intelligent and as patriotic as Elise,” Riessen said. “Elise has always been ready to play for her country. She planned her whole schedule around this.

“There’s not anything that can be done, except to learn from this and learn how to do it better next time.”