N.S.W Tennis Stars Start N.Z. Tour

Chronicle (Levin), 12 February 1949, Page 5

N.S.W Tennis Stars Start N.Z. Tour

Press Association)

(Per

AUCKLAND, Feb. II. Four New South Wales lawn tennis piave rs headed by O. W. Sidwell, Davis C up Tepresentative, and one of the world 's greatest doubles plavers, left for Wellington todav to begin a month 's tour of New Zealand. Members of the team are: Sidwell (captain and manager, aged 28; R. R. McCarthy, aged 24, of Sydnev; .T. Matthews, aged 29, of Albury; and D. Rocavert, aged 24, of Balinain. Sidwell is ranked No. 8 in Australia on last year's N.S.W. ranking list. McCarthy was No. 5, Rocavert No. 9 and Matthews No. 10. Appointed a member last week of the Australian Davis Cup team with .T. F. Bromwich, former Australian champion, and F. A. Sedgman, who rec-ent-Iv defeated Sidwell and Bromwich in turn to jyin the Australian title, Sidwell said it was difficult at -this stago i lo assess Australia 's' . chnnces of win ning the cup from America. A great deal depended on how players stood up fo travelling. Last year A.*K. Quist, captain, had failed to strike anything like his best Australian fortn in America and there was always the possibilitv that loss of form would occur. However, he thought Australia had a reasonablv good chance to win. "Sedgman has improved a great deal in tactical play since he was in New Zealand last season," Sidwell said. "He plaved easily the best tennis of his career in the Australian championships at Adelaide. He and Bromwich, I underatand, are to defend their doubles title when we eompete at Wimbledon,"