THE DAVIS CUP

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 14, 9 October 1937, Page 17

THE DAVIS CUP

SHOULD AUSTRAUA ENTER ? a writer says "yes" disagrees with crawford The statement by Jack Crawford that Australia should not enter for next year's Davis Cup series has aroused widespread discussion, comments a writer in the Sydney Referee. The Davis Cup captain Is a stalwart and a man of very great experienee, whpse opinion is always of great yalue. I have given the matter great consideration before disagreeing from his viewpoint. Crawford, no dQubt, fully realises that Vivian McGrath is feeling the* effects of continuous strenuous tours abroad in quest of the Cup, and dfoes not desire to see him suffer the ill effects that have proved so detrimen-' tal to himself. But what of Bromwich and Qiiist? Bromwich h£is just completed- his first tour abroad, and has returned with excellent results. He has told. me he is most anxious to go again next year and, in consequence, is pagerly looking forward to making the trip. « It is not necessary to quote this lad's wonderful performances abroad. as they are now tennis history. If he is not sent abroad next year to compete against the world's best, a marvellous opportunity will be missed to build on a well-established foundatipri, and Australia will accordingly suffer a great set-back in her pfocess of building up a team to Win back the Cup for Australia. > Who Will Suoceed Crawford? " Crawford, according to his owtiu statement, sems to.be on the verge of yacating the Davis 'Cup arena, and t somebody must be ready tp fill his position — which he has so capably oceupied for many years— and* John Bromwich has proved that he is the man. Quist, of course, . is assured of a place if a team be'sent in 1938. He has an excellent reputation abroad in consequence of his play during the 1936 tour. Tlyrough sickness he could; not play during the Davis Cup team's tour this year, except in a few - unim? portant matches. Consequently, he did not 'derive any benefit from the tour. Austrglian authorities- khoiy Qui^t*| capabilifies. Tberefpre h'e: a«o. ?n^st i be given the bppprtuni^y to furthgf improve by another tour next ye§J^; particularly after missing '*the play this year. * • ■ -*€ The Australian champion, Viv. McGrath, will be one of the first selected for the 1938 team. If reports are correct it seems as though at the moment

he is not very keen in playing abroad. next year. If he finally ' decides to stay at home, it will 'be a great blow to Australia. McGrath has been most unfortunate on Davis Cup, tours— particularly the last two years. It, certainly seems that the strenuous tr..velling and piaying together with climatic variations have an upsetting effect on liis health, and, ^ cqnSequepce hp, is seldom able to produce his best tennis. "Vyhen McGrath" returned just recently one was sorry to observe that he had not recoverpd his best health. He was looking pale and drawn— in direct contrast to the extremely fit end healthy looking iad he usually is. Hp definitely looked in need of a spell from severe tennis— h|nce his attitude towar4s next years tour. Crawford being closely associated \vith McGrath, both on and off the court; no doubt had this in mind, allied to his own experiences, when be said a team should not go next year. A very fine example has been set by the Aiperican and German tennis authorities in relation tp the forthcoming internationai visitors. These authorities, most careful to pyoid over-playing their star players in Australia, have arranged a rather limited but carefully planned itinerary. McGrath now needs all the rest he can get — both here and on tour. Australia will miss him tremendously if he is npt available next year. However, I feel ■confident-that if McGrath is assured that a long strenuous tour will not be undprtaken if we lose in the Davis Cup, next year, he will be quite \yilling to make the tour. fu Ainerlean Zonp. Therefore Australia should again chalienge in the North American Zone. This she will probabiy win, and then remain in America, where it is almost certain the fin:v. round will be piaypd

against the winner of the European zone. The winner of this final would then chalienge America for the trophy. On present form it looks as though the inter-zone final would be played between Germany and Australia. Tbe Australians would bave a minimum of travelling, and could arrange a very short programme in America •to, ensura gpod match practice to fit them for the Davis Cup ties. If the scHeme already suggested for the 1938 Cup team be adopted, it will be popular with the players as they Wil1 only be required to concentrate on the Davis '"up games, and if defeated return almost immediately to Australia. This "'ill miriimise their absence from business, and make the tour less arduous. These points should haVe a great bearlng in eqsuring the availabUi^ of McGraith. ;