SEALED FAME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 158, 6 July 1935, Page 8

SEALED FAME.

F. J. Perry's second victory in the singles at Wimbledon removes any doubt there- may be as to his ranking. He is the best amateur player in the world. A certain amount of luck may be a factor in one success at Wimbledon, but two consecutive victories are conclusive enough proof of superiority. The German von Cramm has been playing great tennis, but Perry beat him in three straight sets. Perry has all the requisites of a consistent champion—technical ability and good generalship, magnificent physique, and a temperament which, though ebullient at times, is rich in confidence and determination. It is many years since there was a figure so commanding in English tennis. He has won all the most important championships of the world, and by winning both his singles in the Davis Cup challenge round in 1933 he did more than any other member of the team to bring the cup back to England. Indeed, in estimating England's chances in the Davis Cup, everyone assumes that Perry will win both his matches. It is indicative, however, of the multiplication of first-class players in the last generation that Perry is the first player to win twice running at Wimbledon since Tilden did so in 1920 and 1921. In the old days the record was very different. Renshaw won eight times in nine yeprs, R. F. Doherty four times in as many years, H. L. Doherty on five consecutive occasions, and Wilding on four, It was not until 1922, however, that the holder played through the tournament. Since the war there have been ten champions, and Perry! is the first man since 1921 to defend the title successfully. This shows how large a J number of great players there are to-day and how fierce is the competition in the front rank.