FRENCHMEN MAY VISIT DOMINION

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 186, 27 October 1927, Page 8

FRENCHMEN MAY VISIT DOMINION

AUSTRALIAN L.T.A. WILLING BIG EFFORT BEING MADE The forthcoming visit of the French lawn tennis stars to Australia is creating widespread interest, and although as yet nothing definite has been decided upon, so far as New Zealand is concerned, there is every possibility that the Dominion will be included in the French team’s itinerary, in the event of which exhibition matches probably will be played at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association has been in communication with Mr. H- Woodward, its London representative, who, after negotiating with the French tennis authorities, has cabled to the effect that a New Zealand tour would be considered, provided it did not interfere with the itinerary prepared by the Australian Lawn Tennis Association. Advice since has been received from the Australian Association stating that it will do its utmost to have New Zealand included in the French team’s Itinerary, and if this really is the case, there will be absolutely nothing to prevent Borotra, Brugnon and Co. from playing in the Dominion, as apparently our friends across the Tasman are willing to postpone the Australian championship meeting. According to a proposed match schedule, the Frenchmen should arrive in Sydney on Tuesday, January 24, and they will play in the Australian championships, iit Sydney, which will begin 4>n Saturday, January 28, continue until Saturday, February 4. They leave on March 10 from Albany. Matches in the Centres The New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association is very optimistic regarding the visit of the French team. Speaking .to a SUN man on Saturday, Mr. Maurice Denniston, chairman of the Management Committee of the* New Zealand Association, said he thought that it would be possible to arrange for the Frenchmen to play at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The association was prepared to offer any guarantee within reason, and if it were at all possible, the tennis public would see the French stars in action. in view of misleading statements that had been made in connection with the tour of the French team, Mr. Denniston said that his association had been negotiating with the Placing Club of France, by which the tour was sponsored. and the French Lawn Tennis Association. since July lust, instructions then having been cabled to the New Zealand Association’s representative in the Old Country, who had made a special trip to Paris in an endeavour to have the Dominion included in the tourists’ itinerary. * A Strong Team If the tour of New Zealand does eventuate, it will mean a boom in New Zealand tennis. In spite of the insibility of llenri Cochet to make the trip, the team will be a strong one. Jean Borotra is ranked No. 4 in the first 10 players of the world, and last year he held the singles championship of France. He is the most brilliant of his compatriots, and is a brilliant and daring volleyer. and withal he possesses a most attractive personality, being very popular with the ladies. Jacques Brugnon, debonair and handsome, is essentially a doubles player, mid with Borotra is one of the most formidable teams in the world. He volleys with accuracy, and smashes with severity from any position on the court, llis backhand, hit with a flat racquet, is an aggressive shot, and is one which he can direct with equal advantage down the sideline or across the court. C. Boussus, who completes the team, is not so well known, but is said to be a young player with a great future, and !t is to develop his game that he was included in the team. He is strong in all departments of the game, and, liko his famed countrymen, he excels wiili his backhand, which is fast, and is hit with a short swing.