FOR TO-MOEROW'S MATCH

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 31, 7 February 1933, Page 9

FOR TO-MOEROW'S MATCH

A LONG JENNIS JOUR

"We have Had a long tour in Australia, we have been playing tennis almost continuously since Ist February of last year, and we are all tired out," said Mr. Wilmer L. Allison, captain of the American tennis team, when the tourists arrived here from Auckland this morning. "It has been a good tour, but much too long. We were told that we would play'four Test matches, calling for twelve days' play. We found that our schedule called for' 46 days' play—and they hoped we would accept other invitations. We are told—l don't know if it is so—that we travelled 8000 mjles." All the members of the American team, said Mr. Allison, had played well in Australia until they had begun to feel -the effects of the long schedule, At the end of their time- there Gledllill was in better form than anyone else ana maae much the best showing in th 6 national championships. He had been fortunate in having had somewhat loss tennis than the rest of the team, and was therefore not so stale. They had enjoyed themselves in Australia and found the Australians very good to play against. J. C. Crawford was in' definitely better foTm than he had exhibited afc Wimbledon. He was playing in his own country and was right at the top. H. 0.. Hopman, whose service was the best in the Commonwealth, , was also a difficult opponent, and MeGrath', the youthful champion, while not yet a world-beater, .had as good a. chance as anyone elso of becoming one. BEST IN THE WORLD. MeGrath's backhand was the best in the'world, Mr. Allison said. None of his other strokes came up to the level of this devastating shot, and ho knew of no one who could rival it. Crawford was still weak in service, but Mr. Allison did not concur in the Australian belief that their doubles play had fallen away. "The Australians are just as good as ever in doubles. Their all-round, form is much ' better than that of the British," he said. : After their vigorous tour the Americans plan to get as much rest from the game as they can before they must start warming: up again for tho long tennis season.*ln Allison's case he will take a fortnight at Honolulu and then another fortnight at his home. Vines plans to Teturn straight home and spend six weeks away from ' tennisi After that, the long grind leading up to the Davis Cup and the national championships will begin again. Vines, said Mir. Allison, rwas still the best player in the United States. "There isn't anyone about who can beat him," he saidj "except young Frank Parker, and he isn't ready yet." It was idle to compare Vines with Tilden, the American captain added. He was much: younger than that great player had been when at the height of his form. But Vinos might bo expected to stay at the top for some time yet. KNOWS ANDREWS. .He was familiar with the play of E. D. Andrews, the New Zealand champion, said Mr. Allison. "There is no doubt that Andrews is a great match player. He should have beaten Frank Shields at Wimbledon last season; he had Frank beaten and would have won if ho had not had that accident to his ankle. Yet Frank had some luck coming- to him at Wimbledon, for it was due to an injury to his-leg that he" did not win. :the year., before. Shields-^ game was ther game of a very fit man and needed ■ great-■ physical strength. He used great force in all his shots and had to win quickly if he was to-win at all. He failed rather greatly at'.th'.e end of last season, and should not really be in the first ten.in the United States after his performances. ■•Sot"he would have to go in as a membei'Jof the Davis Cup team, which was supposed, to be the first four in the eWntry." .■ •. . -...■■' • .

> Mr. Allison said he had read tho official report on tho last Davis Cup final,, but would lather not comment on.it.

After playing here to-morrow the members of tho American team, Wiimer L. Allison, H. Ellsworth Vines, J. van Eyn, and K. Gledhill, together with Mrs. Allison, Mrs. Vines, and Mrs. van Byn, will leave for Kotorua and then for Auckland/ where they play' another match yon Saturday prior to sailing for the United States;