TENNIS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 261, 17 August 1936, Page 6

TENNIS.

A GIRL STAR. Gem Hoahing, a 15-year-old Chinese girl, who is only 4ft. 3in. high, has been one of the sensations of the English tennis season. “She is amazing,” exclaimed Miss Dorothy Round, Britain’s No. 1 player. “She forced, me to play at my top, and think hard all the time.” Miss Round, who played her in the semi-finals of the Melbury tournament, was full of praise for the little Eastern gem, and acclaimed her in tli ewords of an enthusiast. “There were times when I could hardly see her at the other end of the net,” Miss Round told interviewers at the close of her match with the Chinese girl. “It is amazing how well she plays against this great handicap. “Not only is she a grand little person to play against, but she is delightful off the court. She is not the slightest bit conceited and, takes tennis a» part of her education. Her mother has trained her* thoroughly. She reflects great credit, on her parents. “I am sure that if she were able to grow about half a dozen inches she would be a world’s champion.” And so lack of inches might stand between the East and a world title. Miss Hoahing is described as a powerful player, with tennis brains above the ordinary. She has a strong service and a winning forehand, drive. Her backhand is strongly defensive. Overhead her lack of inches robs her strokes of the severity her excellent position play warrants.