TENNIS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 101, 10 February 1936, Page 3

TENNIS.

“YOU WILL LIKE SUZANNE.” MADAME COCHET’S PRAISE. “Oh, you will be delighted with Suzanne if she does come to Australia, ’ exclaimed Madame Cochet, when interviewed by a Melbourne journalist. Mention has been made of Suzanne Lenglen’s request that an Australian tour he arranged for her. “Although she has passed her best- she is still strong in doubles,” said Madame Cochet. “It is possible that she will meet us in America to play exhibition matches with my husband against some of the American professionals. “I have been to America several times, but the first occasion,” she said laughingly, “v4icn I was mascot to the French team that took the cup from America was my happiest trip. “We have no Suzannes now,” added Madame Cochet, “but that is perhaps too much to expect, for she was undoubtedly the best player in the world. Our girls are fond of tennis,” she said, “but there is not the same keenness and hard work in their play as with Suzanne.” Madame Cochet possesses a charming personality. Of medium height, oliveskinned anti, vivacious, she has charmed Australians, for she speaks English with just that trace of accent that is so fascinating. Before her marriage in 1926 Madame Cochet was an international hockey player, “but now/’ she said, “I play little sport, for I seldom play tennis. I am not good, and my husband, he gets no time to teach me. But I keep well on such trips as these, for I am champion luggage packer, for that seems to be chief occupation when travelling. You see, Henri, he has to be always meeting people at every destination, so excuses himself from the luggage. “However, I like some sport, and when Henri wishes to get away from the tennis atmosphere for a spell and rest we go to St. Moritz, for we are both very fond of winter sports.”

GOING ABROAD. FAMOUS NEW ZEALAND PLAYER. The former tennis champion, J. E. Laurenson, of Matamata, having sold the medical practice he has conducted for many years, will leave for Europe hv the Port Caroline on April 5. There is practically no other player in New Zealand whose championship career commenced so young, and who played top-class national tennis under such adverse circumstances. He was a schoolboy champion at 12 years. His major victories were secured when lie was the sole practitioner in a large district, when he was overworked and without anyone ol his class to practise with. His record perhaps is the best illustration of this player’s indomitable spirit:— 1909--Canterbury schoolboy champion at 12 years of age. t „ 1914 and Rib —New Zealand University champion. 1920, 1921, 1924 and 1932—. Auckland provincial champion. 1919 Runner-up to Geoff Ollivier in New Zealand championship (firstappearance). 1920- New Zealand championships, W. T. Tilclen (America) being the winner. 1921 (first year in Matamata)—New Zealand chamnion. 1922—Lost final to Geoff Ollivier. 1924—Aeain runner-up to Geoff Ollivier. Tn addition. Dr. Laurenson has won the New Zealand doubles championship three times, twice with E. L. Bartleet and once with G. Ollivier. He also won the Auckland combined doubles with Mrs Hodges, men’s doubles and singles, in one season, that of 1924.