DAVIS CUP PLAYER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26620, 17 November 1947, Page 5

DAVIS CUP PLAYER

WELCOME FROM ASSOCIATION TRIBUTES TO SUCCESS OVERSEAS An official welcome was tendered the Dunedin Davis Cup player, J. E. Robson, by the Otago Lawn Tennis Association on Saturday night. Mr F. L. C. Scrivener, president of the association occupied the chair at the function, which was attended by club representatives and official guests. Mr Scrivener welcomed the Mayor, Mr Cameron, and paid a tribute to the interest which he had taken in sport during his term of office. Mr T. Brooks, the association’s coach, was thanked for his valuable services, and the chairman remarked that some credit must go to the coach for Robson's fine achievements.

Referring to the Dominion player s record overseas, Mr Scrivener said that great pride at reports of his successes was felt in Dunedin. New Zealanders tended to have an inferiority complex about their capabilities and this attitude was perhaps rather noticeable in Dunedin. Robson, by his performances, had done much to dispel that sense of modesty. The recent overseas tournaments, in which the New Zealanders had figured so prominently, had definitely made Dunedin people “ tennis conscious, said Mr Scrivener.

The Mayor, Mr Cameron, expressed the opinion that too little attention was paid to the young people. He commended Robson’s modesty and fine sense of sportsmanship. A brief summary of the tour was given by the guest of the evening. Mi Robson praised the hospitality extended to the team by the Dutch and Norwegians. Lack of practice was the cause of the New Zealanders secondary display against Holland, he said. It was difficult to become accustomed to the European courts, and in view of this, the New Zealanders dramatic win against Norway in their first Cup tournament was highly praised. The amenities of the. Wimbledon courts were praised by Mr Robson. Every interest was taken in competitors of all rankings, and playing conditions were perfect. He was pleased to discover that the average New Zealand court compared quite favourably with the outside courts at Wimbledon. A distinct contrast was experienced at Paris, whither the New Zealand team travelled for the French championships. The organisation was very lax and the tennis unenjoyable. The hospitality and self-sacrifice of the British people were praised byMr Robson. Their generosity in voluntarily surrendering a week’s ration of certain commodities in order to provide a good meal for the visitors was rather embarrassing at times. In conclusion, Mr Robson thanked tennis supporters for the interest that had been taken in his tour and expressed his ■ gratitude to the association for the many congratulatory cablegrams he had received. During the evening sporting films were shown, the feature screening being a record of the 1946 Davis Cup tournament between the United States Australia.