Rumanian Ilie Nastase was, on Friday (22 June), installed as top seed in the Wimbledon Men's Singles Championship, after a walkout by 68 of the world's leading men tennis professionals.

Despite a last minute peace bid by Britain's Minister of Sport, Mr. Eldon Griffiths, the Association of Tennis Professionals' (ATP) boycott of the tournament came into force. The ATP are protesting at what they regard as the unjust suspension of Yugoslav Nikki Pilic by the International Lawn Tennis Federation for failing to represent his country in the Davis Cup.

The boycott decision was conveyed to Captain Mike Gibson, Wimbledon referee by Cliff Drysdale, the South African Chairman of the A.T.P. But the final list of withdrawals remained uncertain as Britain's Roger Taylor, in two dramatic phone-calls, first of al said he would be supporting the boycott and then changed his mind. Captain Gibson described the course of events.

The revised list of seeds, has been reduced from 16 to eight, and of the eight, five were not in the original seedings. The Czech Jan Kodes is number two seed behind Nastase and Roger Taylor is number three.

The draw for the championships was made in London on Friday.

Notwithstanding their withdrawal from Wimbledon the top men players were to be seen in action in London on Friday. They were competing in the Queen's club tournament.

SYNOPSIS: The man's boycott of Wimbledon is on. Captain Mike Gibson, Wimbledon referee, told newsmen how he heard the decision from Cliff Drysdale, Chairman of the Association of Tennis Professionals.

So the draw was much depleted.

But many of the leading players competed today a the Queen's Club London the traditional warm-up for the championships. Roger Taylor, facing the camera, played Owen Davidson of Australia. Both will be competing at Wimbledon.

Clark Graebner of America and Colin Dibley of Australia watched from the audience -- as they will at Wimbledon. Both are supporting the boycott.

New Wimbledon top seed Ilie Nastase, facing the camera, was also at Queens. He played against the new number four seed Alexander Metreveli of the Soviet Union.