TENNIS NURSERY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 237, 7 October 1933, Page 6 (Supplement)

TENNIS NURSERY.

England Wakes Up to Take Stock of the Boys. Can we keep the Davis Cup? asks an English writer. The answer to this question depends not only on the training and development of talent in our present international team, but also upon the rearing of future champions. The visitor to tho recent schoolboys' tournament at Queen's Club could not but realise the need for hard work among our hoy playeis. Compared with other countries the standard is low. A glance at the records of past junior champions in America is sufficient proof. Vincent Kichards, Lott, I'oeg, Shields and Gledliill have all been national junior champions; they all won international fame within a few years of their early success. France, the champion nation from 1027 until the present year, is now using her young talent in the international field. Merlin is a line example.

It is true that our boys are not encouraged to play lawn tennis at school like their brothers overseas. This is no doubt ii great handicap. Further the boys need the sympathy and encouragement of older players. There were very few spectators at the public schoolboys' tournament; one could not recognise an international player among them. The matches, except for the finals, were umpired by ball-boys. One thought of the inspiration Tilden was to American boys in his amateur days. He not only gave them valuable advice but he played with them. Lawn tennis is a game where the quality of opposition is an essential factor in the development of skill.