LAWN TENNIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 96, 24 April 1928, Page 16

LAWN TENNIS.

PAST SEASON REVIEWED.

DAVIS CUP DRAW.

WORLD'S PREMIER WOMAN

PLAYERS

(By HALF-VOLLEY.)

With the conclusion of the various Easter tournaments the 1927-1928 tennis season is brought to a close. The season just concluded has been a most enjoyable one from the viewpoint of the player, as he has had considerably more tennis than in past seasons. This has been brought about, firstly, by the operation of the Summer Time Bill, which has the full support of most tennis players, enabling them, as it does, to enjoy a game after working hours, besides allowing of extra play ou Saturday afternoons. These benefits have been taken full advantage of, with the result that club courts have been kept busy. The fate of this bill will be watched with interest when it is next before Parliament in a few months' time, as there is apparently considerable opposition from certain quarters to it again becoming law. The second factor has to do with the weather, which has been all that could be desired as regards tennis. A wet week-end was quite unusual, in striking contrast to the previous season. Whilst the fine weather was ideal from a playing point of view, it had a very bad effect on the condition of the lawns, since the use of hoses was prohibited. However, there is no doubt that the past season will be acclaimed a most enjoyable one by all.

Auckland and National Titles. Early in the season tliere was reason to believe that Auckland might be able to acclaim the winner of one or possibly both of the national singles titles. Such was not to be, although it must be admitted that the winners of the titles met the stiffest opposition at the hands of the local players. Miss Marjorie Macfarlane had victory within her grasp, only to lose after one of the most strenuous matches for the title, whilst E. L. Bartleet took G. Ollivier to five sets, being the only match the champion played which went the full distance. "HalfVolley" is of 'the opinion that the men's singles title has never been won by an Aucklander, though he is open to correction on this point. Dr. Laurenson won in 1921 and A. W. Sims in 1923, but neither were Aucklanders. We have to go back eight years to find the last win by an Aucklander of the ladies' title, for in 1919 Mrs. Hodges secured the honour. Previous to this Miss A. Gray held the title from 1912 to 1914, there being no contests from 1915 to 1918 inclusive owing to the War.

The past season has seen the rise of one local player to the front rank, and that is A. C. Stedmaif, who has reason to be proud of his p«formances. His game has been likened to that of E. D. Andrews, national champion of 1926 and there is no doubt that these two players have many points of similarity. What Andrews has done, perhaps Stedman can do, or Bartleet, Knott or Sturt. Let us hope that an Aucklander can place his name on the singles roll of honour ere long.

° ? ad eyes on the Wilding Shield, but our players failed ltfmentablf against a strong Wellington team, who in turn narrowly lost to Canterbury. The «42,g "ear '"" '" >lderß Davis Cup Draw. According to recent cables New Zeawas drawn to play Portugal in the second round of the Davis Cup, both having byes in the first round. This information is contrary to that contained in. the latest issue of the American Lawn Tennis," which journal states that New Zealand plays Czecho slovakia in the second round, Portugal playing the winner of bouth Africa and Sweden. If this is so, then it is a strange coincidence that New Zealand should draw Czechoslovakia on the two occasions on which she has entered in the European zone. In 1924, we drew this nation, and suffered defeat by four matches to nil. The manager of the victorious French Davis Cup team gives it as his opinion that Italy is the most dangerous competitor in . the European zone. It will be remembered that Italy almost retired France last year, Morpurgo beating Cochet, and carrying Lacoste to five sets. France won by three' matches to two. That Italy is formidable, especially in Rome, is undeniable. Morpurgo is one of the .foremost players in Europe. The Davis Cup draw has brought Italy and Australia together in the first round, which is a bit of bad luck for both. The Australian Davis Cup team, consisting of G. L. Patterson, J. Crawford and H. Hopman, are now in France practising for their first match, which must be played by May 8. In the event of their winning this match, they will then meet the winner of the BelgiumRoumania match in the second round, which has to be completed by May 20. New Zealand must also play her match with Czecho-Slovakia' by this date. Accompanying the Australian team are Mrs. Patterson, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Brookes and J. B. Hawkes. Two other promising players in R. O. Cummings and E. T. Moon are making the trip to Europe and America, where they will compete at Wimbledon, St. Cloud and at Forest Hills. For this trip thanks are due to- Queensland's enthusiasts, who have subscribed the nucleus of a fund for this purpose. Cummings was runnerup to Borotra in the recent. Australian championships, while Moon is described as the cleanest and hardest hitter Australia has seen for many years. - World's First Ten Women Players. For years past A. Wallis Myers has published a ranking list of what he considers' the world's first ten players. Tilden usually does likewise, and these two recognised authorities on. the game practically agree as regards their ranking of the men. When it comes to ranking the ladies, however, they are hopelessly at variance. The list follows:— '

MYERS. TIIJJEN. 1. Miss Wills, U.S.A. Miss Wills. 2. Sen. de Alvarez, Spain. Sen. de Alvarez. 3. Miss Ryan. U.P.A. Mile. Bouman. 4. Mrs. Mallory, U.S.A. Miss Nuthall. 5. Mrs. Godfree, England. Mrs. Mallory. 6. Miss Nuthall, England. Miss Fry. 7. Miss Heine,' S. Africa. Miss Heine. 8. Miss Fry, England. Miss Ryan. 9. Mile. Bouman,. Hoi. Mrs. Chaplo. 10. Mrs. Cbapln, U.S.A. Mrs. Godfree. The lists agree as to the first two places only. ; Where they differ mostly is in the placing of Mrs, Godfree and Mile. Bouman. Myers' list clearly places Mrs. Godfree too . high, as she has had a very bad year. On the other hand, Holland's champion,' Mile Bouman, is too low in Myers' list, and too high in Tilden's. Mile Bouman won from a strong field at St. Cloud, France, wis beaten at' Wimbledon by Mias Fry, and in the U.S.A. championship by Miss Wills. She should be placed about fifth.