BOY TENNIS STAR

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 125, 23 November 1932, Page 3

BOY TENNIS STAR

KEMABKABLE _ICGBATH1 CGBATH

TRIBUTE FROM ALLISON

(From "The Post's" Representative.) . SYDNEY, 17th November.

There is a new star in Australia's sporting sky, one Vivian McGrath, only 16, who_ has astounded everyone by his magnificent displays against the American tennis cha-mpions ' who are now touring Australia; Of course, he has not stepped suddenly into the limelight —he has taken part in big tennis for two years now—but no one suspected the brilliance which he displayed when he defeated Wilmer Allison, ranks- j second in America, last Saturday. He thrilled a huge crowd-as it has never been thrilled before. And it is likely that he will go on thrilling crowds, for it is clear that he is improving with every match, and is already capable of holding his own with the world's best. Allison, who has played throughout the world, should be. a fine judge, so let him tell his own story of McGrath's prowess. "I have never seen a youngster play such fine tennis, "he said immediately after his defeat, while he was stretched out, thoroughly exhausted. "His lobs are amazing. Henri Cochet, I thought, was the best at that j type of game, but McGrath is his equal in every respect. He is uncanny." HIS BACKHAND. MeGrath has an amazing backhand stroke, in which he grips the racquet with both hands, and Allison admitted that he was "tickled to death" with it. "Ho has a great shot across the court," says Allison. "It is terrifically fast, placed well, and will always be a source of wonder to me. He is a great lad, and Australia should be proud of him, for he promises to go a long way in the game. He has eyery•thing in him to make him a world star, and with a little more experience, there is no telling whom he will beat." Before he left school McGrath was beating_ most of the tennis stars of Australia, and of these the only one who can be said to be his master is the Davis Cup player, J. C. 'Crawford. Crawford met McGrath soon after the Davis Cup team's return from abroad, and administered a sound defeat. But McGrath has the right temperament; he is full of fight, and he -showed this in his memorable match with Allison. He even took a set from the redoubtable Vines, and Vines will have no easy battle when he meets McGrath in the first Test match .at Brisbane in. a week's time. McGrath has been junior champion of Australia for two years now, and it will not be long, at hip present Tate of progress, before he is senior champion as well. He is not a robust youth, and the hard games he has been called upon to play have taken a great deal out of him. For that reason he was unable to take part in the New South Wales championships that are being played in Sydney this week. There is danger of a complete breakdown in health, unless he takes a complete rest.