TENNIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1921, Page 3

TENNIS.

THE JAP PLAYERS.

Tilden's views of the two men he has beaten are interesting.

Kumagae, who for some years reigned Supreme in Japan and Honolulu, has lived in America for over three years. Shimidzu is a product of Calcutta, where he has lived for some years. "Kumagae,” says Tilden in his book "The Art of Lawn Tennis,” "is a. great tennis player. He came to America in 1910, the possessor of a wonderful -forehand drive, and nothing else. Kumagae is left-handed, which made Ins peculiar shots all the harder to handle. He learned much during his year in America and returned to Japan p. wiser man. with a firm determination to add to his tennis equipment. "Kumagae returned to America in 1917 and entered into business, and soon began the development of his game. Having learned an American twist service, he strengthened his back-hand, and subsequently started coming to the net and volleying. His high volleying and overhead work are excellent.” Last, year, Tilden points out. Kumagae reached his top form,., and was ranked third in America. In 1920, Johnston. Williams, Garland, and Tilden being away on the Davis Cup trip, Kumagae swept all before him. He left America in the middle of the summer to represent Japan in the Olympic games. To quote Tilden again: "Kumagae is still essentially a base-line player of marvellous accuracy of shot and speed of foot. His drive is a lethal weapon that spreads destruction among his opponents. Ills back-hand is a severe ‘poke,’ none too accurate, but very deadly when it goes in. .. He is one of the greatest hardeourt players in the world, and one of the most dangerous opponents at any time on any surface.

According to the same high authority •Shimidzu is not so dangerous as Kumagae, although in the present matches he appears to have been so. Tie has a superior back-hand to Kumagae, but y weak service. In low volleying he is superior to Kumagae. and quite his equal on high volleying and,, overhead work. Tilden adds:—"Both Shimidzu and Kumagae arc marvellous court covprers, and absolutely untiring. They are ‘getters’ of almost unbelievable activity, and accurate to a point that seems uncanny. Both men hit to the lines with a certainty that makes it very dangerous to attempt to take the net on anything except 4 deep forcing shot. 1921 may see Japan challenging for the Davis Cup, and none but a first-class team can stop them.”