TENNIS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 127, 11 March 1936, Page 2

TENNIS.

NEW ZEALAND JUNIOR TEAM. POOR DAY IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, March 10. The junior tennis tournament was continued to-day in ideal weather. The New Zealander, Brown, caused a surprise by beating his captain, Bedford, in straight sets in the boys’ singles, under 21. Brown’s best asset was his forehand drive. In the same event Corich made a good showing against Gilchrist, one of the three best juniors in the State. The New Zealanders otherwise had a bad day. The results included: Boys’ Singles—Under 17: S. Painter .(N.Z.) lost to A. Felan, 3-6. Under 21: I. J. Corich (N.Z.) lost to J. Gilchrist, 1-6, 4.-6; A. D. Brown (N.Z.) beat N. F. Bedford (N.Z.) 6-4, 6-3. Men’s Special Singles—J, T. Mayson (N.Z.) lost to R. Henry 2-6, 2-6. Boys’ Doubles—Under 15: Painter and D. Pails beat J. Hobbs and M. Whitley 6-2; Painter and Pails beat E. and B. Harper, 6-0. Under 19: R. G. Pattinson and Painter (N.Z.) lost to G. McPherson and \V. Sidwell, 2-6, 1-6. Men’s Special Doubles—Brown and Mayson lost to G. Kendall and E. Maidens 2-'6, .7-9; Bedford and Gunn lost to Kendall and Maidens 7-6, 1-6, 6-8; Corich and Pattinson lost to R. Henry and J. Griffiths, 2-6, 6-4-, 3-6. Mixed Doubles, under 21 —Pattinson and Miss C. Bubb beat Bedford and Miss J. Prior 6-1, 1-6, 9-7; Mayson and Miss Mac Smith lost to A. Felan and Miss P. Colbert, 6-4, 5-7, 1-6. Special Mixed Doubles—Pattinson and Miss B. March lost to B. McVey and Miss T. Rice, 2-6, 4-6.

ALLISON AND OTHER PLAYERS. UNLIKELY PROFESSIONALS. Rumour has been busy with the names of Wilmer Allison, American national singles champion; Brian (‘ Bit--sy”) Grant, the best of leading Aniericans on hard courts, and IranK P&idver in connection with plans for the 1936 Til den professional tour, reports Hany Hopman. This is news for Australians, ioi without Allison America would not be a match for our men headed by Crawford and Quist. However, I feel sure this talk is only rumour, for I know Allison well enough to realise that he would he about the last amateur to change status, and that, if he did turn, it would not be towards “Bill’ Tilden or any group to which Tilden belonged. Tilden was intensely disliked by the

younger American players when he ruled the amateur ranks, and his criticism of their play since he became professional, Allison’s in particular, has not helped to remove the bitterness generated in the days when he was doing his best to keep them out of the Davis Cup team. Grant, too, has ideas that do not dovetail with professionalism, and a very definite “No” was liis reply to a 15,000 dollar offer from the Tilden circus. Frank Parker, so far, has given no indication except that lie has not accepted any offer, if an offer was made. Parker’s mentor, Mercer Beasely, is a professional, but he is a professional in the true sense of the word, inasmuch as he does not exhibit but only coaches. He is named as the most successful coach in the world. Parker dropped out of international class tennis for the major part of last year to take his examinations at college, and it is unlikely that he will sacrifice further scholastic aims to join a touring troupe.