TENNIS NOTES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 44, 1 December 1938, Page 3

TENNIS NOTES

OLD MAN BOROTRA.

A VIRILE FORCE AT 40. Jean Borotra, who defies the laws of nature in living as a virile force beyond his fellow lawn tennis stars, lias just won the English covered court championship for the ninth time. He is forty years of ago, and it was an achievement without parallel in the history of the game. The previous record was seven wins by E. “W. Lewis, who gained his first success before Borotra was born. The Frenchman, too, has outlived his rivals in point of popularity. When I he appeared in court in the final against D. Butler, a player eleven years his junior, he was given a wonderful reception. Queen’s Club was crowded as I have never seen it before. The galleries were packed, men and women sat on the floor of the court, and at the finish if Borotra had not bolted to his dressing room, I believe he would have been carried shoulder high. He is conscious of his declining physical powers, and, before he rushed off to Birmingham to keep a business engagement, he said “I shall not play any more singles in major championships. I will confine my play to doubles, and in endeavouring to help my young countrymen to improve. I was forty last August, and, whatever the public may think, I cannot go on for ever.” What is Borotra’s secret? Tactics and to a lesser extent, perhaps, the sugar which he eats to fortify himself in all his matches. He is fully aware of his limitations, and he is compelled to conserve his energies. On this account lie plays in spurts, serving aces, racing to the net to win points by the volley, and smashing with a deadliness which no player exceeds. Then, having gained a lead, he deliberately allows the fire to go out of his game, patiently conceding points without seriously weakening his position in' order that he may take an easy. In these tactics he is the complete master. His strokes, too, are produced with wonderful cunning and power.. But he has to be careful that he does not run too much and exhaust himself.