TENNIS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 65, 28 December 1935, Page 6

TENNIS.

CRAWFORD HAS HEART STRAIN. MAY AFFECT DAVIS CUP TEAM. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. It is now revealed that J. H. Crawford is suffering from heart strain. He said he had been warned on several occasions by medical men that he could not maintain the pace and stay healthy. According to views expressed by the selectors of the team to compete for the Davis Cup it is unlikely that an Australian team will be sent overseas next year if Crawford drops out. NORTH OTAGO CHAMPIONSHIPS. OAMARU, This Day. The North Otago tennis tournament was concluded. There was glorious weather throughout. The finals resulted:— Men’s Singles—A. Feathers heat L. McKinnon, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-1. Ladies’ Singles—Mrs Bradley beat Miss H. Sumpter, 6-1, 3-6, 7-5. Men’s Doubles—l. and K. Walton beat S. G. McDougall and Feathers, 1-6, 6-4, 6-2, 8-6. A. C. STEDMAN PRAISED. ANDREWS RETURNS TO NEW ZEALAND. AUCKLAND, December 27. E. D. Andrews, the much-travelled New Zealand international tennis planer, arrived by the Mariposa. He said that., though lacking practice, lie would play in the New Zealand championships at Wellington on Monday. Questioned about the other New Zealand Davis Cup players, Andrews said A. C. Stedman had gone ahead and was in the reai international class. He had improved in all departments, and bis match with J. H. Crawford (Australia), in the Davis Cup contest, was one of the most outstanding in England this year. C. E. Malfroy had not been playing the same number of gnnlcs being stationed in the West of England, where the opportunities were not so good as in London, said Andrews, who added that the professional game was increasing in strength a little., and it only remained for another lialf-dozen or so world class players to join and it would occupy a prominent part in world sport. Andrews considers the present lawn

tennis standard not equal to that oi six years ago, when players like Borotra, Cochet, Lacoste, Vines and Crawford were competing. All these were champions, whereas to-day there was not the saniQ competition in world class tennis.