CUP HISTORY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1327, 3 January 1912, Page 7

CUP HISTORY.

THE NATIONS THAT MADE IT. ELEVEN YEARS' PLAY. A few words on the history of the Davis Cup may be of interest! It was presented iu 1000 by Mr. Dwight V. Davis, a noted American player, who himself assisted to win tho cup U.r America ill tho inaugural contest. The British Isles made an iitteupt (d wrest the cup in 1902, but were rauii , by three Matches to two.' In 11105, l.vnr-i-vcr, the famous Doherly broth.'is v.-oh ;> iunsatioual encounter by four mmcri-; 10 1 no. Belgium (|iialified for the rAiind in 1001, but. never .1 l>.-k ;ii against England, losing (ho » - 'u-U-. (iu> matches. Among the four uatiuii- Ilinl challenged in 1005, America c/juii.ic] i )v defeating Australasia (the lat>r Intl mi tered the lists for tho first tiim.-\ but they in turo were again hcatc'i by England, who wou all livo ma'ohs'. ' Australasia were again tl:.-fJ.'itcd by America in 100G in the yrcliminarj

round, but with the same result, tho holdors. retaining (he cup without losing h match.

In tho following year Australasia (urneel the tables on the Americiins, and, in tho challenge round, wrested tho cup m rm ll0,(Iers '>}' throo matches to two. 1 his was achieved by Brookes winmug his singles, and Wilding one of hi?, the doubles match being lo=t. Tims the symbol of lawn tennis supremacy travelled to Australia, where it has remained ever since, notwithstanding two attempts by the Americans to annex.il. Elaborate preparations were made for tho carrying out of the present historic contest at Lancaster Park. A masterhand at lawn-making was for months working at the sward, which has been roped off to keep intruders out all that time, and what work could do has been done, with tho result that a more perfect piece.of Jawn could hardly bo s"cn the world o r. Indeed, it has been stated that if. compares favourably with tho noted ceutro court at Wimbledon—the "Mecca" of lawn tennis. At least that ia tho Canterbury account but visitors from the North Island do not quite share (hat enthusiasm.