THE DAVIS CUP

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 62, 7 December 1920, Page 8

THE DAVIS CUP

AMERICAN TEAM AT AUCKLAND THE CAPTAIN INTERVIEWED . Bv Teleeraoh—Press Association. Auckland, December G. The Anterican'challengers for the Davis Cup, who aro to play a challenge round against tho Australasian team at Auckland during tho Christmas and New lear holidays, arrived by the Niagara from Vancouver. The team consists of Messrs. S, H. Hardy (captain), W. T. Tilden, W. M. Johnson, and Watson Washburn. Ac-, companying thom are Mrs. Hardy nnd Mr. R. Du Puy, nn American, who is embarking on a tour of the world, and decided, in the words of ono of tho team, that to see tho play for tho cup would be tho very best beginning that ho could make. Tho four players statethat tlioy are in the best of health, and only too anxious to commence practice in their new surroundings, in in endeavour to strike unmistakable form Tjefore meeting their opponents, whom they do not appear by any means disposed to hold cheaply. Mr. Hardy, captain of the team, said he was not disposed .to make any predictions concerning the result of the coming struggle. They had como here prepared to play their hardest lo obtain possession of the trophy. Ho added that they hud brought tho oest that America could produco in Messrs. Tilden and Johnson. Tennis, however, was tho most uncertain of games, and it wan not «afe to pa9s any opinion on the form that ,n playor was likely to display until the man actually stepped on to the court. His altitude was typical of that of his companions, who Were moro disposed to talk ol' their determination to play the hardest that was possible for to make any predictions of tho possible outcome of tho match. Mr. Hardy said it had been a disappointment to tliem that Willtams, wltu was originally selected for the doubles, had not been able to make tho trip. Reorganisation of his business had claimed his attention, nnd he wa9 not able to leave. He also was very deeply disappointed at having to cancel his engagement. Speaking of the cablo- ' message from Australia announcing ttiat the team's visit to tho Commonwealth would be cancelled, Mr. Hardy onid it had never been anticipated that Johnson would he able to go. It was just u question whether it wuuld be possible for Tilden to visit Australia 'or not. The wireless message had been "wheel reservations," meaning cancel the berths booked on the ship, nnd not "cancel arrangements'' as it appeared in the cablegram. Reminded that the Australian tennis enthusiasts bad been keonly disappointed that the match was not to be played there, and would be <ven moro disappointed if they did not receive a visit from the team subsequently, he replied: "I know they are disappointed, and if it is by nnv means possible to get tho boys across I will do it." Mr. Tilden, when interviewed, declined to predict the result of the coming con'tost, but expressed plensure at again mooting tho Australians. He paid a very warm tribnto to Normnn Brookes, the Australasian captain. Mr. Tilden said he was anxious to start practice right away. , ~ . The Australians who comprise the Aus- ' tralasian team landed late to-night, nnd are all well. 'AUSTRALASIAN TEAM ARRIVES PIT AND WELL. fiv Telecranh—Press Association.' Auckland, December 6. The Australasian team arrived very fit nnd well. In an interview Norman Brookes said they were not at all depressed, and wero full of hope. In 1911 they had to meet sttper-playors, and they managed to win, and they hoped to do so ngnin. The team, which comprised himself, Pnttereoir, O'Hara Wood, and Heath, was tho very best that could be pTcked, and was nicked for merit alone. He was convinced'the Americans would find Patterson a very different lnan to what he was at Wimbledon, when Tilden beat him. ________