LAWN TENNIS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 272, 14 November 1903, Page 4 (Supplement)

LAWN TENNIS.

The Lawns of the Birkenhead and Northcote Lawn Tennis Club were opened on Saturday last. There was a large gathering of friends and members, to whom afternoon tea was dispensed by the ladies of the club. During the afternoon Mr Skeates very generously offered to present a five guinea cup for competition. A number of new members, both playing and honorary, have joined the club, and the season promises to be a very successful one.

Miss Gorrie, of Auckland, will be playing for the championship doubles with her sister at Napier in Christmas week. It is reported from Wellington _ that H. A. Parker is now in hard training., Laiahley is also doing heavy work with Swanston. Both should be in great buckle by Christmas. Miss Travers, who is showing great form just now, is spoken of as a coming champion. Mr Anthony Wilding, of Christchureh, who went to Cambridge some nine months ago, has already made a name for himself in the tennis world in the Old Country. During the season just closed he played in nine tournaments, viz., Sheffield, Hereford, Edgbaston, Newcastle, Shrewsbury, West Worthing, Chichester, Brighton, and Eastbourne, and altogether he appropriated no fewer than fourteen prizes. At Brighton and Eastbourne he played in the Open Combined with Miss Douglas, this year'o lady champion at Wimbledon, and they won both events, only losing one set throughout the two tournaments. They met and defeated M. Taylor, E. G. Allen, M. G. Ritchie, E. R. Allen and H. S. Mahoney, and their respective partners. After the brilliant Buccess of the Dohertys at Home and abroad, writes Mr A. Wallis Myers in the "Daily Mail," the most noteworthy internal feature of the season has been the rise of several new players destined in a very short time to win <the highest honours at the game. Among the men the most striking instance of rapid advance has been Anthony F. Wilding, the young Cantab, who hails from New Zealand. Making his first appearance in public tournaments this year, Wilding, although only nineteen, has already beaten two of the leading players in England, while he finished off the season by a brilliant exhibition of double play.