TENNIS CRACKS RETURN.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 251, 22 October 1919, Page 5

TENNIS CRACKS RETURN.

BROOKES AND PATTERSON. MATCHBK IN AMERICA. Two famous Australian tennis players Messrs. Norman Brookes and (I. 1,. Pat , terson, reach Auckland to-day by th< Niagara ott their way home after at I absence of four years or more. Wit! Messrs. R. Lycett and R. L. Thomas, the} competed in the English rliampionshij at Wimbledon last June, and afterward! ; undertook an extensive tour of tin ; Cnited States, taking part in the Ameri ,' can singles anil double championship They won the doubles, beating .lohnstot and Griffin, in three vantage sots' ■ straight. In the challenge round the; ! heat Tilden and Richards, the previou ; j year's champions. In the singles Patter . ! son was beaten by .lolinston 7 —"l in th. '. 1 fifth set, and Brookes by Tilden. (i- ; 1 j each set, in four sets. In the final John I ston beat Tilden in three sets, straight 1 I Tlio doubles were played at Longwoot : Long Island, and the singles at Kores 1 Hills. Long Island. s 1 (Speaking to a reporter. Patterson 6H>i j' tiiat the. present American standard wa I certainly higher than that of any olho j country. Johnston, the American single champion was an ail-round player, poi j sessing a strong forehand drive, steady backhand placing shot, and I good service. lie was also a goo.l vo' ] lever, and was particularly strong ovei j head. Tilden's methods were rather wild an I erratic, but he could control more shot I than any other American player. II also bad an unplayable lirst service 'The Australians played exhibitio I matches, and took part in tournament in a number of cities, including NVwpor I Southampton (Long Inland). Toront I (for the Ontario championships Chicago. Lo- Angeles. San Kraneisc. 1 Vancouver, and Victoria. ; ; R. Lycett and 11. L Thomas, the othe i Australians in the Wimbledon team di j not come by the Niagara, but returne 'to San Francisco, and are coming thenc jby direct steamer. Both Brookes and Patterson have see j long war service, the latter as a lietitet -ant in the 11.E.A.. and the former wit "the Red Cross iv Egypt, and with II i Imperial Supply Corps in Mesopotnmi. " I Mrs. Brookes, who is returning with hi r . husband, was attacked by appondicit -' at «c-a, and had to be removed from tl 2 ship in an ambulance. It is expectf J this morning that an operation won! be necessary.