THE DAVIS CUP.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1920, Page 4

THE DAVIS CUP.

BROOKES AND NEW ZEALAND. SYDNEY, Jan. 26. In reference to Brookes’ s remarks regarding the venue of the Davis Cup contest, Mr Colquhoun, president of the Australian Lawn Tennis . Association, says: “The agreement with New Zealand must be honoured. We must be loyal to the Association rules.” It was not often that he differed 'from his old friend Brookes, but he did in this matter. He added that it was partly due to the play of Anthony Wilding that Australia had been able to retain the Davis Cup in the present'year, and in previous years, and it would ill become them to make any effort that would cause any disruption of the Australasian Tennis Association.

At the tennis dinner Anthony Wilding’s memory was honoured in silence.

DOMINION OPINION. WELLINGTON, Jan. 26. Lawn tennis enthusiasts express surprise at Mr Brookes’s suggestion that the Davis Cup contest should not be

played in New Zealand, because at present we have no players equal to the Cup contests. Mr H. M. Gore, president oi the New Zealand' .Lawn Tennis Association, points ouib that. New Zealand lost its finest player—Anthony Willing—and two prospective champions—Gordon Seay and D. Jennings, of Christchurch —in the war. Duthie, of Auckland, another fine player, also was killed, and none knows what New Zealand may produce in the next year. Patterson made a meteoric rise to fame and the championship in a very short time. “It must not be forgotten,” says Mr Gore, “that in the past New Zealand has held her own in tennis with Australia. H. A. Parker in his day won in every State in Australia. On the two occasions matches have been played with New South Wales, New Zealand lias won l in 1896 and again in 1904. The State representatives were defeated at Sydney, and the position now is that the New South Wales Association is endeavouring to arrange to send a team to New Zealand. It had practically been arranged that New South Wales would send » team'over at the time of the Davis Cup matches. Under the arrangement with Australia, the Davis Cup tournaments, if the Cup' is held by Australasia, are played on every third occasion in New Zealand, Australia to have the other two games, and it is New Zealand’s turn. In the ordinary course of events the next match will lie played about December of this year.” As to the weather, there need be no ; apprehension, especially if the courts are covered. Auckland’s climate is not. very different from Sydney’s.