MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 405, 14 December 1932, Page 7

MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY

BOY TENNIS WONDER AUSTRALIAN YOUTHFUL STAR THRILLS ENTHUSIASTIC CROWD NOTED AMERICAN DEFEATED There is a new star in Australia's sporting sky, one Vivian McGarth, only 17, who has astounded every one by his magnificant displays against the American tennis champions who are now touring Australia. Of course he has not stepped suddenly inte the limelight — he has taken part in big tennis for two years now — but no one suspected the brilliance which he displayed when he defeated Wilmer Allisoxx, ranked second in America, last Saturday. He thrilled a huge crowd as it has never been thrilled before. And it is, likely that he will go thrilling crowds, for it is clear that he is improving with every match, aixd is already capahle of holding his own with the world's best. Allison, who has played throughout the world should be a fire judge, so let him tell his own story of McGarth's prowess: "I have never seen a youngster play such fine tennis," he said pmmediately after his def eat, while he was stretched' out thoroughly exhausted "His lohs were amazing. Henri Cochet, I thought, was the I best at that type of ganxe, but Mc- | Garth is his equal in every respect. He is .uneanny." McGarth has an amazing backhand stroke, iix which he grips the racqxiet with both haxids, and Allison admitted that he was "tickled to death" with it "He has a great shot across the court," says Allison. "It is a terrifieally fast, placed well, and will always be a source of wonder to me. He is a great lad and Austi'alia should be proud of him, for he'promises to go a long way in the game. He has evex'ything in him to make him a world star, aixd with a little nxox'e experience there is no telling" whorn he will beat." Before he left school, McGarth was beating most of the tennis stars of Australia, and of these the only one who ean be said to be lxis master is the Davis Cup player, Crawford. Crawford met McGarth soon after his return from abroad, and he administered a sound -defeat. But McGarth has the right temperament; he is full of fig'ht, and he showed this in his memorable match with Allison. Wliy, he even took a set from the redoubtable Vines, and Vines will have no easy battle wlxen he meets McGarth in the first teise match at Brisbane in a week'es time. McGarth has been junior champion of Australia for two' years now, and it will not he long, at his present i*ate of progress before he is senior champion as well.