TENNIS NOTES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 9 January 1931, Page 3

TENNIS NOTES

THE CHAMPIONSHIPS A RETROSPECT: MEN'S SINGLES It was, perhaps, only to be expected that an exceptionally late season and the return of the New Zealand Championship dates to December would toll against established reputations and assist the young, unknown, and inexperienced, writes ‘Service” in the “Press.” There were, of course, contributing factors, like the the extreme heat and fast courts; but in the main all the New Zealand titles were lost merely because their holders were not prepared for the assaults that were made on them. It is all to the good that the titles did change hands, for thereby competiton is stimulated and interest in the sport increased. But at the same time one is left with the feeling that perhaps some of the winners of the New Zealand Championships are not New Zealand champions. To take the outstanding case in point, no one will believe that because H. A. Barnett defeated D. G. France in the first round of the men’s singles Barnett is necessarily France’s superior. No one will believe that France would not have put up a very much better fight against A. C. Stedman had he and not Barnett, reached the final. Barnett’s performance was a fine one and a remarkable one; but there is little doubt that had France and N. R. C, Wilson been at all in form, he would not have defeated either of them. The Hew Zealand Championships would have looked very stupid had Barnett, beaten Stedman, which was not unlikely, for we should then have had a champion whom five, or six, or seven men in the Dominion could defeat. PLAYERS UNPREPARED Even with Stedman, it remains to be proved whether or not he is the New Zealand champion. He did not enter for the Wanganui championships, hut the other North Island tournaments, in which there is an entry almost as representative as at the National Championships, will quickly find him out. If he is beaten by C. Angas or by France, both of whom are at present ranked higher than himself, the position may become very disturbing both for the critics and for the New Zealand Association’s selectors. In the semi-final match against Angas he played an inspired game, not a typical -ame. He is, after all, largely a one-stroke player, and that stroke, his powerful forehand drive, may at any time be unsettled. If he fails to uphold his title, and if the other champions fail, the Association may well have to consider whether, in view of the later and later summer, it should not fix its dates at the end of January and hold to them year by year. The sudden reversion to December dates can this once do little harm, if only because of the new and healthy rivalry which it has inspired. .But if, year after year, because of climatic changes over which they have no control, the leading players have no clian.ce to prepare themselves, then it will be merely silly to force them to play for New Zealand lilies in December. Indeed, the national meeting will lose all its weight and importance and probably most of its support.

STANDARD TOO LOW In spite of all opinions to (he contrarv there can be no doubt that the general standard of play this year was too low. There were exceptions, but thev were not many. The only two singles matches of a high standard were those between Angas and A. L. France, and Angas and Stedman. To those who have known Don France in better times, his play against Barnett was miserable. Wilson was the most bitter disappointment of all. Fast driving and strong serving once cave him the reputation o a coming champion. Against the Australians last year he played particularly well. But now his strokes are uncertain, his temperament bad Time and again, in singles, doubles, and mixed he would drop his service in a critical game. He overhauled Barnett at two sets all, but still could not win the decidimr set He and France both tried spasmodically to sharpen up their p ay by coming in. Two or three lobs and two or three passing shots, am they were too timid to try it again. It was almost laughable how Barnett compelled each one of them to play him at Ins own game, and then won with something to spare. HERO OF THE MEETING Barnett was justly the hero of the meeting. He found his two chief opponents off form, and he beat both of them soundly. He showed not merely a remarkable agility on the courts, hut an unusual steadiness and tactical iesource. He has been widely, and aptly, compared with J. T. Laurenson, and there seems little doubt that with increasing experience he wil. one day go as far as Laurenson has. But after contrasting him with Stedman in the hnat match, it would be absurd to say that lie should be ranked No. 2 in New Zealand, as, indeed, Ins performance almost demands that lie should. Len France, it is said, has become a yachtsman. Yet his play at this meeting was prettier, more open, and less restricted by cuts and chops and spins than evei if has been before. Against Angas he played a splendid, open game, and when Angas rallied to the attack the match was one of the best of the tournament. In the men’s doubles, too, Trance distinguished himself. It is significant that those who played the pair, wo e in awe of him tar more than of Ins biotli er. ANGAS’S WEAKNESS ■\ s for Angas, it is difficult to know what to say Gradually one ,s driven to the conclusion that, although his collection of strokes and the PTjecismn his play are unrivalled in New Zealand he has not the tactical resource that he should have. Uus was appui cut in his match against H, Dyniomb where, not until after the 10 minutes spell when he was down by one set to two did be realise his mistaken play. The’ following day he beat Leii lrance with the utmost brilliance. The day after playing on the No. 3 court which STiiSrU»r at h. «• straight sets by Stedman Ceita.nly when a first set goes to 32 g-in™. > odds for the match are greatly in R our of the winner of that set. But An o-as’s good temperament and good condition (were they both good?) should have overcome this. He must have realised Limb in forehand driving Stedman was unassailable. Yet, except for one oi two spasmodic attempts to play, at m-L lie scarcely varied his game at all m the last two sets. The occasion calledl foi one shot particularly—a heavy chop to the backhand. Stedman s backhand well placed as it is, is tor the most pait

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a defensive shot, and therefore his most vulnerable point. Yet Angas scarcely attacked it seriously, and did not use the low dropping shot with which it should have been attacked The fact of the matter seems to be that Angas plays merely the game he knows. If it beats his opponent, as nine times in ten it will do, so much the better. If his opponent can counter it, then so much the worse. Angas plays too much to his own pattern; his game is not adaptable enough, his mind not resourceful enough to meet the emergency when it does arise. The beating, of course, will do him good, as it would, do any young inan good; and when he next meets Stodman he may remember and profit by his experience.

INSPIRED DRIVING Steelman’s driving against Angas was so consistently brilliant and so uncannily accurate that one can only call it inspired. With a set. determined face, he posed before each shot and pounded it with all his might and all the weight of his body. His stance and action were perfect. His drives went within inches of the baseline and the sidelines, often so fast that they scarcely rose from the turf. So much was he the master that, against a player of Angas’s speed, he was able to run round and make perfect forehand shots off drives to his backhand. If Stedman could play like this always, he would indeed be the champion of New Zealand. But he cannot. The very day before, against T. W. Patterson, he could not. His drives had not the sting and placement; they were outed and netted. Patterson’s length, accuracy, and tenacity worried him. Patterson took a set from him where Angas failed (Patterson, incidentally, beat H. A. Barnett in three straight sets a couple of nights before the championship meeting.) Stedman’s smashing and service were good and as consistent as any at the tournament. His volleying is sometimes rather slow and obvious. His backhand is sound and consistent, but it is a defensive, not an attacking shot, and is, it may well be repeated, his most vulnerable point. Just to what extent it can be exploited remains to be sen. Certainly, his progress through the North Island tournaments will be watched with the greatest interest. NEED FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS

There is one important general comment to be made on the men’s singles. Few of the players were properly fit. This fault, with others, was largely attributable to the lateness of the season; but it was surprising to find it so general. Barnett’s excellent condition helped him not a little against two opponents otherwise much better equipped. Particularly when the tournament is played in temperatures ranging from 80 to 90 degrees in the shade, physical fitness becomes of the greatest importance But championship tennis even under ordinary conditions imposes probably a greater physical strain than any other sport except” boxing and. possibly, rowing; and players should realise that good training may rank equally with good practice.