LAWN TENNIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 March 1920, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS.

WESTRaLIA v. NEW SOUTH WALES. By Telegraph,—Press Assn.—-Copyright. Perth. March 30. At lawn tennis Westralla defeated New South Wales by 13 to 12 sets. THE DAVIS CUP. Sydney, March 30. The Lawn Tennis Association has received a cablegram from the Canadian Association withdrawing its challenge for the Davis Cup. It has also received a message from the English Association stating that if the other challengers agree the British Isles request a redraw to Include Canada and Franco. Unless this Is agreed to the competition to proceed in accordance with the draw on March 2. It is well recognised (says the Sydney Daily Telegraph) that the governing bodies of sport are often more technical than the most tech-nically-minded judge. A court may say that It is superior to its own laws, and that he who sticks to tho letter fails to roach the spirit. But tho rules of an athletic competition are as a rule interpreted with the utmost strictness, and with a fidelity to precedent worthy of an Eastern ecclesiastic. It is to be hoped that the governing body of lawn tennis will find some excuse for relaxing the rules in dealing with the entries for the Davis Cup. South Africa was allowed a concession last, year to the satisfaction of ail the competitors. This year the challenge from Prance lias arrived late, and there Is a possibility that Prance may be excluded. But before a final veto is imposed it is worth remembering that Prance has recently been under conditions almost as abnormal as those of the war. There has been a great strike, there has been a long series of elections. It is quite possible that the despatch of a cable to Australia was delayed by reasons which quite entitled the French authorities for a few days' grace. No doubt the other challengers should be considered, for it Is they, and not the holder, who will be affected by the appearance of another competitor. P.ut the draw has not yet been made, and the pleasure of Including a French team in it Is beyond question,. There would be a peculiar appropriateness In a match between France and the United States at the present time, and if anything would compensate us for the absence of American players it would be the appearance of France as the challenging nation.