DAVIS CUP

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 367, 23 February 1937, Page 8

DAVIS CUP

AUSTRALIA’S CHANCES. F. J. PERRY’S OPINIONS. The famous English lawn tennis player, F. J. Perry, who recently turned professional, commenting in a specia. interview on. the prospects of the Davja Cup contest next year said:— “It is too early to tell much definitely, but, on paper, Australia, Germany, Great Britain, and America have good teams, arid one of these four will surely win the Davis Cup. They should realise, however, that there are still eight months left, and a lot can happen in that time. By the time the Cud contest begins. Great Britain may have found someone else. "Australia has a better chance than for a great many years, but she must get down to business and make up hei mind who will be in the team. Why not let the players rest this winter and be fresh for the Davis Cup play? Aus tralia will have a much better chance with her players fresh instead of playing them in winter tournaments, as she always does. She must make up her mind whether the loss of her star players from the tournaments she holds all through the winter is balanced by the chance to win the Davis Cup—or she will never win it. She must choose between playing her &tars at home or la the Davis Cup matches. “Australia’s chances are as good as those of any other country, but they would bo infinitely better if she let her players rest. If she wants to see them in tournaments in Australia instead, that is. all right, but they might as well give up their Davis Cup hopes.” STRAIN ON CRAWFORD. Speaking of individual players, Perry said: “It would be a definite mistake if Crawford plays in all three matches in the Davis Cup. I never played In all three matches, because they told me it was too srreat a strain oh my strength. I know that I am a better than Crawford, and, if I could not do it, how can he?” “The Australians have a good chance for the Cup, and the race is open,” Perry concluded; “but they must not forget that Britain still has a chance. I wish to emphasise that, just beeahse I will not be playing, it does not follow that Great Britain Will lose the Crip. The Australians brought a box along in some former years; expecting to take the Cup home, and were disappointed because they did n6t win. It is best to copy the European plan and say s ‘We will try to win.’ ”