LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1645, 11 January 1913, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

' tßr "Footfaott."] GREAT DAYS AT THORNDON. Taranaki Lawn Tennis 'Association Championship and Handicap Tournamont—At New Plymouth, on January 18, 17, 18. Wairarapa Open Championships and Masterton Club's Handicaps—Masterton, January 22, 23, and 24. The Incomparable British' Isles Players. Favoured as we were during the week with the golden opportunity of- witnessing tho magnificent play fit the British' Isles team, not only against New Zealand s best, but amongst themselves, one has been able to ■ calmly ' consider tho vast possibilities of the gamo. Unfortunately for us, in'this extreme southern latitude, we havo only on two occasions been privileged to 6ee any really first-class tennis, viz., the Davis Cup competition in Christchurch last year, and this present never-to-be-forgotten visit of the British Davis Cup quartet. _ Hence it is that tho standard of New Zealand play is a long way behind that of other dountrios situated nearer, the centre of the world's tennis activities. Tho Splendid Object Lesson. It is exceedingly pleasant to note, however, that notwithstanding this state of affairs, the player of New Zealand, now tested against the world's best, seems to bo quite capable of arriving at a standard not muoh behind the great form which wo have just had the pleasure of looking at. Dixon has remarked that, s'tuated as we are, the pick of our players— Swanston, Fisher, Peacock, and Ollivier—are really good, requiring only first-class practice to bring out their qualities. By the somewhat limited practice already 66; cured by. our men against the Englishmen their play has improved beyond measure. Swanston, especially, had outshone himself and it was our privilege to be made vory consciously aware of this pleasant feature during the play just concluded on the Thorndon-courts. Swanston ; has abundantly proved his ability and worthily upheld his recently acquired honour when he became New Zealand champion, on this present memorable occasion. Moreover, to those uninitiated in the game of lawn; tennis this week's play must have proved an eye-opener, and indeed.'to eomo of us who consider that we know something of the game, it also proved; a revelation. . Never before has there been 6uch an exhibition of the game; Driving of such; magnificence was never, contemplated by mere ordinary players. Net play of such alertness'has never been witnessed, nor the great generalship displayed throughout the matches by the visitors from'overseas." Eagerness to obtain the required position,' of being able to command winning strokes, and general all-round brilliant play'bos,marked tho whole of the game. It is hard to imagine that tho individual play of any of our visitors :Could, in any way, bo improved upon, nor indeed is it nardly possible. -

that Meteoric Irishman—Parks. Of the four the first plaoe on this 'occasioi must be accorded to the meteoric Irishman/ Parke. .-The strength and surcness of his play were delightful,: and his back-hand'drive was "a thing of beauty and a joy forever." Dixori did not prove too aggressive in singles, but what a treat he was to watch in the doubles! There his strong, features were fully .apparent. His half-volleys and low volleys--were remarkdblo and withall., executed with perfect derision. '. ■''■'-.— impressions of Beamish and Lowe, . Beamish, a second Dunlop, was also particularly brilliant, in doubles play. Were not his .volleys par cxcollence? Backhand , equally as.well as forearm? . .-■• ,1/we, too, has vnst possibilities, arid,, with more play, it can easily be.;seen that he will lie quite'up to the groat stan- ; dard of excellence'shown :by his confreres. Lowe executed some seemingly impossible recoveries : with . remarkable cleverness In the last exhibition doubles, when he was partnered, .by Parke against Dixon... and' Beamish.;- .;.:. ■'■) -.;. ■ ■.■'..;■■. We" VViii:Watch :them:(n Australia.;;;' . : It: has.' all'.booh a. perfect lesson to:us, and':6ne. admirably vgiven.-. ■■ During the next fow-days we will.-watch with considerable interest the result of.their trial- , match against the.pick of 'Australia,'arid: we.iiiay. -be sure that it is both the,teams' intention to do their utmdst (oiprqve their respective superiority >on tho\fecond occasion' in which they, meet; .This match will take place- at- Double. .Bay on Jann- , ary.l7 ,'nnil 18.-.: What :an itumense draw td son :P<itlv<:;>:kV Brookes Once, again try ' for supremacy! •;..;'.) '■'•■-.>■' Finally—the Riohr Secretary. ;:■;'; Whilst writing, it.<is'.with great, pleasure that (iuc. can compliment the secretary. (Mr. A.. L. Berry) on the very thorough ■: manner in which he, carried out'all the -necessary and varied arrangements that ■ wont to make.the meeting the great suc- •>. cess which' it.was. Not one-item was for- •'. gotten. The Lawn'' Tennis Association . wero indeed--fortunate, in obtaining -his '.' assistance. nis all-round qualifications' ; would indeed be hard to emulate, and. he certainly • deserves the association's' ,uni stinted graticule. . .'''., >:

Miss Nunneley Returns to'ths. Game. '" Him' Nuniiclcy was 'playing at. 4 the Dannc-virko Tournament during.tho' week in tho Ladies' Championship Donbl?swith Miss •Hartgill,. and. Combined Championship. Doubles ivith W. Pearco. P. Grady, Wellington partnered by Richardson, was put out in tho second round of tho Men's Championship Doubles to tho extent of o—(s, I—o. playing against Symonds , and Evans. ■; ,' .;.- '. '"'■' :, ■ " '-;-'j-Inter-Club Matches. • i - \, '. After these most : interesting ■■ holidays that have.just passed—golden days that have proved of. immensa.;benefit to tho game generally—tho inter-club matches again ..resumo,to-day/. 'All the players Blrould now bo in good condition. Their experience gained ,in. tho different tournaments should stand them in good stead. As a.'result the match play will-':be lifted,out of the somewhat ordinary ruck, and, it is'hoped, will advance with'considerable impetus. ■;'"''.';'• |'. It is somewhat doubtful whether Wellington will continue in the Men's Senior Grade. It would bo a pity to seo, them drop out of the competition, tho interchange of play that takes placo in matches is beneficial to all concerned. '