THE DAVIS CUP.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 December 1920, Page 5

THE DAVIS CUP.

0-i ■ T •-> J I THE TEAMS AT AUCKUANI). THE AMERICANS INTERVIEWED, MAKE NO PREDICTIONS, <, By Telegraph.—Press AssooUtlon. Auckland, Last Night. The American challengers for the Davia Cup who are to play the challenge round against the Australasian team at Auckland during the Chrittmaa and New Year holidays, arrived by the Niagara from Vancouver to-day. The team consists of Messrs. S. a Hardy (captain), W. T. Tilden, W. M. Johnson, and Watson Washburn. Accompanying them are Mrs. Hardy and Mr. R. Du Puy, an Amenican who is. embarking on a tour of the world and deoided, in the words of one of the team, that to see the play for the Cap would be the very best beginning tkat he could make. ■ The four players stetf that they axe in the best of liMfftl, •' and only top anxious to commence goto" tice in their new surroundings in an endeavour to strike unmistakeable faim before meeting their opponents wham they do not appear by any means deposed to hold cheaply. Mr. Hardy, the captain of the tea®, said he was not disposed to make a*y | predictions concerning the rewlfc of tie coming struggle. They had come hj«« prepared to play their hardest in si effort to obtain possession of tie trophy. He added- that. they hffri brought the best that America con&l produce in Messrs. Tilden and Johnsctt. Tennis, however, was the most certain of games. It was not safe U pass an opinion on the form that s player was likely to display until f|< man actually stepped on to the eoiat, His attitude was typical of that of In . companions, who were more dispojed U talk of their determination to play tfli hardest that was possible for them than to make any predictions of the pas> sible outcome of the match.

Mr. Hardy said .it had been a disappointment to them that Williams, who was originally selected for the doubles, had not been able to make the trip» The re-organisation of his business had claimed his attention, and he was not' able to leave. He also was very deeply disappointed at having to cancel his engagement.

Speaking of the cable message from Australia announcing that the team's visit to the Commonwealth would lie cancelled, Mr. Hardy anticipated that Johnson would he able to go, and it wag just a question if it would be possible for Tilden to visit Australia or not. The wireless message had been "cancel reservations," meaning cancel the bertha booked on the ship, and not "cancel arrangements," as it appeared in the cablegram. Reminded that Australian tenniß enthusiasts had been keenly disappointed that the match was not to be played there, and would be even more disappointed if they did not receive a visit from the team subsequently, he replied: "I know they are disappointed and if it is by any means possible if get the boys across I will do it." Tilden, when interviewed, declined ta predict the result of the coming contest, but expressed pleasure at again meeting the Australians. He paid a very warm tribute to Norman Brookea, Hie Australasian captain. Tilden said he was anxious to start practice rigl.t away. f

AUSTRALIAN'S ARRIVE.

TEAM FULL OF HOPE.

Auckland, Last Night. The Australasian tennis team arrived by the Maheno very fit and well."-

Interviewed, Mr. Brookes said they were not at ail depressed and were full of hope. In 1911 they had to meet superplayers and they managed to win. They hoped to do so again. The team, which comprised' himself, Patterson/ O'Hara Wood, and Heath, was the vtty best that could be picked, and was picked for merit alone. He was convinced' the Americans would find Patterson a very different man to what he was at Wimbledon when Tilden beat him. l