THE DAVIS CUP

Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1920, Page 1

THE DAVIS CUP

TEAMS AT PRACTICE. AUCKLAND ,Dcc 20.

The Davis Cup .lawn tennis court in the Domain was played on to-day for tho first time. Brookes and Patterson of tho Australian team,, played four sots on the court early in the afternoon, and expressed themselves as greatly pleased with its condition. “It is a beautiful court” said Brookes “and it is ,n. treat to play on it..’’ Patterson was equally enthusiastic, and said lie thought it was tho best court he had ever played on. “We cannot make the court an excuse if we do not win,” he added, laughingly. Tilden .the only member of the American team who did not go to Rotorua, was present when Brookes and Patterson were practising, but ■’he himself did not id ay until later in the afternoon, when lie practised on the Parnell Club’s courts with his captain, Hardy. The latter had jiikt returned from Rotorua. Johnston, America, played a single with Heath, Australasia, and Washburn, America, practised with O’Hara Wood, Australasia. Some good games were witnessed, and occasionally there were some brilliant shots.

Tho Australasian team will practise on the Davis Cup court to-morrow morn ing, and the American team in the afternoon. The public will-not be admitted to these matches. Ono of the features of the practice play in Auckland has been the splendid form shown by Brookes. Owing principally to indifferent health, Brookes has not been able-to do justice to himself in singles mate-lies, and it was thought probable that lie would not. participate in any of the singles in the coming contest.. Brookes is now so fit and well, however, that I should not he surprised to see him change his mind, and in that event he would probably replace O’Hara. Mood. It is unlikely that the personnel of the Australasian {cam will be -decided upon for some days ft*.