WIMBLEDON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 153, 1 July 1939, Page 8

WIMBLEDON.

By those whose interest in tennis is dependent on " big names," the Wimbledon championships this year will be accounted dull. Through a combination of circumstances, there are few authentic "big names" in the lists of the players. The biggest of all, Donald Budge, who in one year won the championship of the United States, England, France and Australia, who for two years was unbeaten on any turf court in England and America, has joined the professionals. Of the ten players ranked by A. Wallis Myers (another "big name" now no more) as the world's best, only two are competing in the men's singles. The Australians, who have set their hearts on winning the Davis Cup, long since decided that they could not hope to win it (in the United States) and compete at Wimbledon too. So Bromwich and Quist are absent. So, too, is von Cramm, the German. But H. W. Austin, ranked last year as No. 2 in the first ten,, and R. L. Riggs, No. 4, the latest of the Californians to make his mark in tenpis, are competing, and neither seems likely to be upset before the final. It has been Austin's fate to reach the final twice, only to find on the other side of the net, first Vines, then Budge, both unbeatable on their day. This time, unless the 20-year-old Riggs has matured more quickly than was expected, Austin may be the champion. The New Zealand competitors, Malfroy, Ounn and Brown, have made a better showing than usual, but only Malfroy, thoroughly acclimatised and experienced, reached the third round, where Riggs had to play to beat him. In the women's singles two former champions in Miss Helen Jacobs and Mrs. Little (Dorothy Round) may be seen in the final. But these speculations cannot take into account the possibility of young, unknown players springing a surprise. It is hard to do at Wimbledon, but the knowledge that it can * be done adds to the charm of the game and the interest of a tournament which has been held for more than sixtj( years.