THE DAVIS CUP CONTEST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 83, 3 December 1912, Page 8

THE DAVIS CUP CONTEST.

PLAYERS FRATERNISE. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Sydney, December 2. The Herald says that it would be absurd for the Australians to deny that the result of the Davis Cup contest lias been a keen disappointment to them. “Wo regret the loss for sentimental reasons;” it- says, “and for more practical : reasons. Australia, for a time at least, has lost the right to expect a visit from the best players of Europe and America. No doubt the opinion of British experts should nave warned ns that our supremacy was in serious danger. The experience has taught ns to be on our guard. Ae should, perhaps, have’ anticipated the English habit of refusing to recognise when they ought to be* beaten, which has appeared more than once in the cricket world, and appears'in tennis also.” in : i ’

Describing the play, the'Herald says that it was due to Parke’s magnificent play - alone that the cup was taken oack to the British Isles.

The Telegraph declares that everything depended on Heath; and he was unequal to the task. He had the misfortune to strike a player at the top of magnificent form. The honours of the contest unquestionably rest with Parke, who returns to his native land covered with glory. Melbourne, December 2. Lord Denham and Lord Fuller were present at the Australian. Tennis Association’s dinner to the teams.

Mr Weigill, the president, offered congratulations to the Britishers. Parke, he said, had given Australia almost too much of himself. To remember that drive of his was reminiscent of the scriptureal hero, “the late Mister Jehu.” No doubt the visit of the Britishers had provided the necessary funds to enable the Association to fit out an invading expedition in pursuit of the'Cup. Mr D;xon paid a tribute to the treatment that the team had received and the fine sporting spirit of the Australians. He said that Parke’s victory absolutely won the Cup. / It was hardly fair, he sa'd, that the challenge round the Cup should be held in the country of the holders year after year. He suggested that the contest should be held in different countries alternately. If that was impossible, let it be the country of the challenger, and not of the holder. Such an arrangement would increase the interest.

Mr Low claimed that ho had helped to win by standing down. Unless he. had done so the Britishers would not now l)e holders of the cup. Mr Parke, proposing the 'Australasian team, said that at Home it had always been thought that so long as Brookes was playing it was useless sending a team to Australia. The Britishers had been horribly lucky through Brookes being defeated on an off day. For himself, lie never played such a game in his life, and never Imped to play another like it. Mr Brookes, replying, said that the loss of the cuy was deeply felt, hut the visitors deserved sincere congratulations for their splendid performance. Australasia had played its best team, and that team had done its best. The visitors were really a British Isles team, and had it not been for good old Imland,the cun would still be safe in Australia’s hands. He was only ton willing to make one of a team to try and recover it. Mr Dunlop said that the Australians were well beaten. The Britishers undoubtedly deserved their win. Mr Heath, amid cries of dissent, regretted that he had not supported the captain a-s he should have done. ' Mr Jones claimed that though he

had not played lie had clone his heat to pull the side through by barracking. RESULT WAS A SURPRISE. (Received S.O a.m.) London, December 2. The Times says that the Davis Cup result came as a surprise. 'i nc chance of winning was supposed to be in the doubles. Brookes’ defeat was never seriously entertained. Sporting Life praises Parke’s victory. The return of the Cup to England will increase interest in the contests. Possibly Brookes will be willing to attempt to regain it.