LAWN TENNIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1922, Page 3

LAWN TENNIS.

SEASON OPENS TO-DAY. Although the New Plymouth Club’s courts have been open for play since last Saturday, the official opening of the season does not take place until this afternoon. A progressive tournament is to be played. Mixed doubles will be played and members, who may choose they own partners, are requested to be on the courts ready to commence play at 1.30 p.m. At the Park Club, which is also Opening the season this afternoon, it Is not pr<?posed to hold a tournament; merely open play aunongst the members will be Indulged in. AMERICA’S BOY WONDER. Vincent Richards outdoes all previous records In lawn tennis. Last year he was the junior champion of the U.S.A., a title limited to those not over 18 years of age. and at the same time held with W. T. Tilden, the doubles championship of America, and was third in the ranking list, coming next after Tilden and W. M. Johnston. But at 16 years of age he was even more wonderful. In 1919 he won the covered court, junior championship of America, and then beat Tilden himself in the final of the covered court championship of America in a five-sot match. He then held, with Tilden, the doubles championship (war time) of the U.S«A. He played in his first tournament at the age of 13. and has been making records ever since. A couple of weeks back he and Tilden beat Patterson and O’Hara Wood in the final of the American doubles championship 4—6, 6—l, 6—3, 6—4, and the cables ascribed that win largely to his brilliancy. Australia’s pair had their revenge four days later in the doubles of the Davis Cup at 6—4, 6—o, 6—3, but in that match Wood’s game was exceptionally brilliant and Patterson was also sound and forceful. It Is hard to say what. Richards will do at 30 when he is-so good at IR. His game, moreover, is not based on gymnastics. . He ocnserves his energy by splendid headword, and recently heat Wallace Johnson, America’s master of the chop stroke, at his own methods. In 1921 he beat. Tilden, who had just returned from his successes at Wiimbledon. This year he beat, him twice more, but In their latest meeting Tilden taught, him a lesson by winning at 6—3, 6—l, 6—o, after 3 all in the first set, that Is. 15 games out of the last 16, and in the sixth game of the second set had the score 5-0 and 40-0. That, however, was super-brilliancy by Tilden. Vincent Richards relies mainly on chop strokes and his splendid volley. If he could learn, like Tilden did late in his career, the true drive, nothing could stand before him. Still, that’ is a big “if.” The chop stroke is a good servant, but a bad master, and it is hard to keep it in its proper place. Richards is of medium height and very slim, willowy and boyish. He has beaten on occasion, all the present best players In America, including Shimldzu, of JaD«’ v