LURE OF WIMBLEDON

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 102, 27 October 1933, Page 9

LURE OF WIMBLEDON

MECCA OF TENNIS

PERSONAL SIDELIGHTS

(By Tred Perry, British Davis Cup Player, and American National Singles

Champion.)

[No. 4.]

The name Wimbledon means more to the ordinary lawn, tennis player than anything else connected with the game. To the player who has reached the championship class tho title of Wimbledon Champion means more more, for some reason or other, than any of the others. Ido not say it is the most difficult to win, but there is something about Wimbledon and its ti^idition that makes it tho most coveted trophy of them all. Wimbledon itself is tho absolute ruecca of all tennis players and .followers of the game. The players, and often spectators, come from all over the world just to be thero for the championship fortnight. Wherever you go in the world you find followers of tho game whose one ambition is to take a trip to England and Europe solely with the idea of being present vrhen the tournament is held. Tennis players themselves have one object in view when they reach any standing, and that is to compete at Wimbledon. A player who has played there during the championships I seems to have reached a certain standard which all players look up to. Situated some ten or fifteen miles out of London, }t was renibved to its present site some few years ago. When it was built overybody said it was to be a white elephant as it was much too big, but today, they are wondering just how they can make it much bigger. Its popularity is tremendous the world over, and for why! All tho leading players from nearly every country go' to Wimbledon, and it is like a miniature League of. Nations for fourteen days. Not one-tenth of the contestants havo a chance of winning, but they go nevertheless. The glamour of personalities thero is unbelievable. Let me give you a- few pen pictures of some of this year's most-sought-after personalities. CRAWFORD AND McGRATH. To start with, there was the present champion, Jack Crawford. Together with his team, he had come 12,000 miles just to play there. Fairly tall and somewhat portly in appearance, he appears to'stroll about the court with no fixed intention in his mind. His gamo is a perfect example of game control. Never appearing to get worried; he has few mannerisms or expressions which give away his innermost feelings; perfectly calm and reserved —mo one could help liking this great sportsman and champion. Ho was undoubtedly one of the crowd's greatest idols,. and they fell particularly for his little mannerism of racket twiddling in botween the rallies, and his rather catching mannerism of stroking his hair when in difficulties. ■ ■ ■ He was accompanied by Vivian llc- k Grath/the man who took the wind out" of everybody's sails as far as popularity went. There was nobody there who could draw the crowds like'"Young Viv," as he was called. Everybody went originally to sec his famous twohanded backhand, but it was not long before they went to see him because of his personal charm, on the court. Although only seventeen, he carried himself like a veteran of many court battls, for all the .world as assured and culm in his demeanour as his captain, Jack Crawford. One'would never have thought by his carriage and demeanour that he was a great '.'star" of the world/ and it was this unassuming nature which. Biade the crowd take to this youngster from "down-under. " •

ELLSWORTH VINES,

Next, I think, in popularity came Ellsworth Vines, tho great champion from America. He had almost come to be known as the second "Pokerface," as Helen Wills was called, as he never cracked a smile or gave, vent to his feelings on the court. It was always a pleasure to play Vines, as he would always give credit where credit was due, and whenever he won he was always lucky, according to his own idea of the game. This is a great attribute, and the crowd always rallied round to see him play. They never saw him in defeat until ho played Jack Crawford, and everybody took him nearer to their hearts after the great way in which lie accepted it when it came along—truly a great thing for so young a champion. The shorts vogue was not so much in evidence at Wimbledon as at Forest Hills. This I think was largely owing to the fact that the players respected tho traditions of this old place. The only .man who affected this attire was our own "Bunny" Austin, or "Babbit'? as'lie is affectionately called. He has always said since affecting them that he would wear them on the centre court, and he did. They seem to have improved his game tremendously, mainly, I think, because they give him more freedom and, what is more, they suit him much better than ordinary flannels. Shorts at-Wimbledon were practically unheard of, and so everybody dashed along to have a look at the nan who dared to wear them, so wherever "Bunny" Austin was playing there were very few vacant • seats about; but Austin himself is very likoable from the crowd's point of view. As a tennis player ho is one of the finest in the world, and in my estimation has the most beautifully-produced shots of anybody. To the lover of the game and to thoso who wish to see lawn tennis shots as they should be produced, according to the book, I should adviso them to have a look at "Bunny" Austin the next time they have the opportunity. Off the courts he' is a man wrapped up in business, and exceedingly happily married; ho throws himself into the game with great energy, and his efforts are always appreciated by thoso who know him and follow him. IDOL OF THE LADIES. Then vfor the flapper side of the gallery, the Americans had loaned us Lester Stoeffen. While the tallest man playing lawn tennis, well proportioned, blonde, curly hair which curls straight b*ack from his forehead, blue eyes—he was the idol of the' 'feminine side and the envy of the male side of his supporters. He,- too, has ■ beautiful shots, and no one could help but admire this tall son of California. His first trip to Wimbledon was a great success both from the tennis point of view and that of his popularity. Everybody liked Mm for his candour in admitting when ho was beaten by any shots, and he was always the first to give praise for brilliant efforts on his opponents' part. The people like to sco an occasional good-natured outburst of disappointment, provided it is good-natured, and Lester Stoeffen possesses that remarkable attribute of being able to do these things just with tho right amount of humour. A great fellow off the court and a charming opponent—a man whom Wimbledon would like to see again. These are only a few of the many personalities one sees on the courts at Wimbledon. The spectators il'lude some of tho most famous people in the world —in fact, it is no longer a tournament in the sense of tho word, but a social event in the London season. Wimbledon and its traditions will remain long after tho present-day personalities disappear. Wimbledon now means something which can never be forgotten, and the personalities who go to build up. tho great tradition are all part of si. respected and hallowed tradition.