TENNIS

Hokitika Guardian, 2 November 1929, Page 6

TENNIS

WORLD PLAYERS. Tlie London “ Times ” just to Laud, in reviewing the form shown last season by the world’s best players, says: “ It must be refreshing for those who are rapidly passing through the years of ,middle age to have read that W. 1. Tilden at 30 has for the seventh time captured the singles championship of the United States. It is even more interesting to find that his opponent in the final round was E. T. Hunter, another veteran of the game, only a year younger than Tilden. Tilden had no easy progress to liis final victory. In each of the last two rounds he had to play five long sets before he won. That is all the more amazing, for it has been held in recent years that Tilden was one who, if he was to win, must win quickly. Tilden himself has frequently given some reason for tnat estimate o'f himself by setting about the game from the start with all the energy that he could command, so as to ensure a speedy victory. More than once his haste has been his undoing. Now at last perhaps lie is learning that lesson that must sooner or later force itself upon the player who is getting on in years. He must slow down, and often in slowing down, lie acquires a new sureness and confidence that more than compensate for the brilliance, and daring of younger days. Tilden still remains supreme, in his own country. He is still the foremost player in the world outside France, and it is even yet a question whether by a more careful conservation of his physical ' power during a match he might not once more win back the supremacy over all others that lie held for so many years. He has the skill and the vigour, for he has always been saving of himself. He may now learn to hold more in reserve as he plays. “ The supremacy of France as represented by Co.chet and Lacoste is due to rock-like steadiness. Their play has been developed almost to a machinelike perfection. There is little experimental in their strokes. They know just wliat they can do and they seldom try more. They never press on or hurry the game, but go along quietly and calmly. There is no flashing brilliance like that of Borotra or Tilden. who are ever 'trying something startling or new. ' y “With Lacoste and Cocliet all seems so simple and easy. There is no appary ent effort or exertion. It is all plain' sailing. They are never flustered or upset. Yet behind there is a defence that never stumbles or falters; They; give nothing away. They are not to be tempted into anything rash. They let their opponent wear himself out with trying, and when the right moment arrives they heat him outright with a stroke to which there .is no reply. r..i “ Cochet hit's perhaps' a more com-plete-equipment of strokes than Lacoste. He is stronger in build and can hit harder, and his speed often carries him to the net, where he can smash with tremendous power for such a small man.”