LAWN TENNIS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20734, 18 February 1939, Page 22 (Supplement)

LAWN TENNIS

DECLINE IN ENGLAND ASSISTING GAME IN DOMINION ALTERNATIVE TO CUP CHALLENGE (By “Cross-Court”) Having reached the brightest page in its history some years ago, British tennis seems to have relapsed once more into the doldrums. There are serious misgivings over the attitude of the Lawn Tennis Association in refusing to recognise the necessi'y lor training young placers to take the place of the Perrys, the Austins, - .e Hares, and others who have gone a 1 are going before. Eric Filby, M. D. Deloford. and Robert Niccll arf gco(! players but, as yet, are not world championship material. If the Lawn Tennis Association had any for the British prestige it would assist these young players to develop, and might still avail itself of the offer of Fred Perry ti assist Wimbledon by coaching young players of promise. It cannot, afford to lose the big gates of Wimbledon, and a financial depression might work wonders where reason seems to be highly unsuccessful. Position In New Zealand The position in regird to the coaching of young players in New Zealartd is almost identical witlt that in GrcaBritain—little or nothing has been done. Again this year we are sending two Davis Cup representatives overseas presumably hoping that .n the usual cry “they will gain exne-j----ence.” Apart from it being very dear experience Ps value has never, m recent years, been satisfactorily pros With Australia probably the worth's leading country for sheer o layirg strength, it is difficult to vlsLulisr vv \ "experience” cannot be gained i?GO miles across the Tasman In preference

to going halfway round the world, to compete under conditions to which it would take months to become accustomed. Probably the best suggestion ever put forward for the improvement of the game in this country, that of importing a really outstanding coach of the class of Mercer Beasley, of America, or England’s Don Maskell, was mooted some seasons ago, but nothing has been heard of it since. McGrath’s Injured Wrist V. McGrath has now discarded the wide adhesive bandage which he has been wearing on his right wrist, which he declares to be healed. In the Australian championships he showed greatly improved form and now appears to be in particularly good health. It looks as if after two seasons of indifferent form the doublehanded exponent may return to his best, and this would considerably enhance Australia’s chances of winning the Davis Cup. American Ranking List

The first ten ranked players on the American Tennis Association’s 1938 list are:— Men. —1, J. D. Budge; 2, R. L. Riggs; 3, C. G. Mako; 4, S. B. Wood, jun.; 5, J. R. Hunt; 6, B. M. Grant, jun.; 7, E. T. Cooke; 8, F. A. Parker; 9, G. A. Hunt, jun.; 10, F. L. Kovacs. Women. —1, Miss A. Marble; 2, Mrs S. P. Fabyan; 3, Miss D. M. Bundy; 4, Miss B. A. Winslow; 5. Miss G. W. Wheeler; 6, Miss D. E. Workman; 7. Miss M. E. Osborne; 8, Miss H. A. Pedersen; 9. Miss V. Wolfenden; 10, Miss K. Winthrop. Players not ranked because of insufficient data include Allison, W. Sabin, F. X. Shields, Mrs Helen WillsMoody, Miss Helen Jacobs and Mrs Van Ryn. It is a curious commentary on American tennis that a player who had turned professional before tiie list was published has been ranked head f the amateurs, and that Mrs Wills-Moody, who won the Wimbledon * women’s title, is classed as having insufficient performances to be ranked. Eyes on Wimbledon News from California indicates that Bobby Riggs is looking forward to playing at Wimbledon this year. Riggs has in mind the capture of the famous English singles title, and is reported to be undergoing the strictest preparation for it. If it eventuates it will be the Californian's first visit to England, and his adaptability will be put to a severe test. Riggs is recognised as America’s first line in defence of the Davis Cup, and his tennis activities are certain lo be closely watched. American officials are likely to seize the opportunity of sending their Davis Cup team prospects to Wimbledon lo discover their most suitable doubles combination as well as establish, the supporting singles playei tu R ggs. With the Australians absent, again this year Wimbledon standard will suffer and consequently America may decide that, try-outs at home will p we more beneficial. If Riggs rVL Wimbledon iie lias a great. rhanr.* i achieve success at his first ut'emp a the title. Five Challenges New Zealand has challenged for m Davis Cup as a separate nation on uv«

occasions. Until 1923 it was amalgamated with Australia. In 19*24 it was defeated by Czechoslovakia without winning a match. in 1928 it defeated >ortugal, in 1934 it lost • Czechoslovakia, and in 1935 to Australia. In 1937 it beat China and lost to South Africa, wiien Stedman had to retire with an injury. Seven players have represented the country. F. M. B. Fisher, J. C. Peacock, E. D. Andrews, R. R. T. Young. C. E. Malfroy, A. C. Stedman and D. C. Coombe have had that honour. A challenge was entered last year, but when Stedman withdrew the proposed tour was abandoned. Tllden’s Idol Dealing with his early career as a player, Tllden in a recent book states:

“My tennis hero, who until 1919 I had never seen but always glorified, whose name spelled glamour to me all the years I was struggling up the ladder, was Norman F. Brookes, the great Australian champion. . . I met Brookes at Newport in 1919, and for once the idol lived up to my expectations. charm, distinction, intelligence and culture he had! On and off the court Norman Brookes was a great personality. Something of the same quality as George Arliss, the famous actor, is found in Brookes, a quiet, yet subtly biting irony, tempered always with humour. From a tennis angle Brookes was the keenest brain I have ever met. Limited by a rather imperfect stroke equipment, handicapped by a body that did not possess great stamina, Brookes rose above his limitations by the brilliance of his mentality, the subtlety of his finesse, the gallantry of his courage. Every match against Brookes was an invaluable lesson to a student of tennis.”