Lawn Tennis DOUBLES PLAY

NZ Truth, Issue 1141, 13 October 1927, Page 12

Lawn Tennis DOUBLES PLAY

«. Five Sets Advocated This Season (From "N.Z. Truth's" Wellington Rep.) Never m the history of New Zealand lawn tennis has Wellington entered a season with a stronger side. With the Wellington lawn tennis team to-day, as with its back line against the Springboks m 1921, a visiting team could say that it was meeting what was practically .a New Zealand representative side. FIVE ex-Dominion representatives are 1 still on the active list m the cityJohn Peacock, Don and Len France, Noel Wilson and Edward Smyth. Every one of these men, save L>en France, has held a national championship — Peacock m singles and doubles, Wilson and Smyth m doubles, and Don France m mixed. Beside which rank Camille Malfroy, present national junior champion, and H. McGill, who has the slight claim to recognition that he is a Canadian Davis Cup representative. It was only last year that Wellington became the holder of the Wilding Shield, the blue riband of New Zealand tennis, and it was by a narrow victorY that the local team, easily the strongest combination m the Dominion, destined the trophy to yet another journey m a Union Company boat. Canterbury was not worthy to hold the shield, but on the day they were unlucky to lose it^ For years Canterbury has had it all over Wellington m the matter of doubles. In a meeting of the provinces a few years ago the Wellington men were _overwhelmingly superior m singles. The doubles, however, mostly went the way of the southerners. Since the present crowded state of the courts has not provided much opportunity for players to get together, the management committee should provide it. And they should provide it early. . The first thing fo be done is to encourage all clubs to make their doubles matches, for men at least, five sets. Nothing can be done unless five set matches become the rule. Practice must come from somewhere, and the best of all practice comes this way. With a season or two of five-set encounters we shall have recognised doubles combinations m Wellington as good as they are m Canterbury. The second step which the management committee should take is to stage inter-club contests for men's and women's doubles only. PATIENCE WANTED This would take time and patience. But the result would be more valuable to our tennis than anything since the creation of the Wellington ladder which heralded our rise to the head of New Zealand tennis. It would teach players combination, unselfishness (for each would be playing for his team) and would revitalise the weakest side of our play. In Noel Wilson and Ed.ward Smyth we have two of the best doubles men m the country. ■ Both have been national champions. Both will be national champions again. But they need some understanding with the men whom they are to play with. Cowper and Walker once, beat Len France and Smyth m Wellington Provincial Championship final for the loss of only three games. As for Wilson, ask Noel what he thinks of the combination furnished by national singles title-holder E. D. Andrews and himself, at Auckland, last year. At present players wait until round about championship time before seeking a doubles partner for one of the most important and attractive sides of the game. That should be ended. And here is a suggestion which would end it. Given effect to, it would mean that Wellington would show itself the strongest province very effectually at the next national championships.