AUSTRALIA IN DAVIS CUP

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 165, 15 July 1939, Page 16

AUSTRALIA IN DAVIS CUP

HOPMAN OPTIMISTIC. "THE WORLD'S BEST TEAM." THE PROBLEM OF QTJIST. LOS AXGELES, July 14. The manager of the Australian Davis cup team, H. O. Hopniai), in a general discussion of the whole Davis Cup position with the representatives of the Australian Associated Press, expressed satisfaction at the manner in which the team was gradually working toward the top of ite form for the campaign stiil to come. "Bromwich's progress is extremely satisfactory," said Hopman. "He is developing excellently, and promises to be ready for the hardest sort of campaign when the real firing begins. Quiet's form satisfied me, but apparently it does not yet satisfy Andrian himself. I tell him that considering the stage in the season it is just as it should be, but he still worries a little. However, I think that will soon pass over. Boston or Montreal? "A small matter of strategy has occurred relative to the playing of the inter-zone final, which, although si-heduled for Box ton. could be played elsewhere upon agreement between the Kuropean zone winner and oni <i-lves. "The Canadian tennis authorities are making a ctrong bid to get the match for Montreal, but I am not consenting to that because we have engaged ourselves to play in the national doubles in Boston before the iiiter-zonip final, and while we are thus engaged the European team might get-in advantageous practice in Montreal, handicapping us. "The bait being held out for a Montreal match is an excellent 'gate.' a gallery of 7000 being virtually assured. whereas the inter-zone final at Boston in 1938 was a frost. Position After Wimbledon. "Nevertheless, I think that if we are to keep our eyes on the cup we should proceed us was earlier determined, particularly as the defaulting of Brazil and •Japan carries us directly from our match with the winner of the Canada-Cuba match to the inter-zone final. We should finish oil in Boston iliiriiii! one protracted Miriili. which will cover both the interzniip final and the doubles, and after that proceed to Philadelphia for the challenge tnatvh. "Xotliing that has happened at Wimbledon chanties the set-up as I diasrnnsed it even before leaving Australia. With the lenioval of Budse from the scene our chances from every point of view are lirst-rnte. It will take a {rood deal to convince me we have not the be.=t national tennis team in the world."