BIG TENNIS AND ITS PLAYERS

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20988, 17 October 1933, Page 10

BIG TENNIS AND ITS PLAYERS

F. J. Perry's Views TOURISTS ARRIVE AT WELLINGTON iTHE PEE3S Special Service.] WELLINGTON, October 16. All that appeared to be worrying F. S. Perry, the British Davis Cup tennis player, when he was met by press representatives on board the Maunganui on her arrival in the stream from San' Francisco this morning, was where h- eon id net a pair of tennis flannels made in a hurry; but he did not allow t'n; nnjiovlanl matter to cloud his 'countenance completely. Indeed, it is cUUculi to imagine Perry wearing a \ei"\ worried !ue--:. Perry was only one. though the most notable, oi' iive tennis stars who arrived by the Maunganui. Withhim were ii G N. Lee. .mother British DaefsCuoplaver. and K. 11. D. Wilde. aNo fiot-." Emuaucl; and two members ~,-" Australia's Davis Cup tea in, AUv. ,m O'.Lt and D. P. Turnbull. Per-'v and Lee were members oi llie HrllLh team which won the Davis rnp this year, and sunrequentlv m the United States. Perry won he American singles ehampionsmp; also, tor the second year in success.on the •pacific .=outh-west championship. Mot "/■ver Pe'-rv was unbeaten m 'he r'in:;Yes"m "the Davis Cup contest this Tour oi New Zealand. All five players are to take part in a tour of New Zealand, which, so far as the British players are .concerned, will be a preliminary to a visit to AusT Almost Perry's first words were directed towards the acquisition of a pair of flannel trousers. His mind was soon set at rest on this subject but later he mentioned that he would have Jo get some rackets, too. He said. he had given his rackets away m America. Then the Marama, from Sydney, came into view through the light early morning mist, making her way up the harbour. At the sight of her, Feny took new heart. "There are 18 rackets aboaid ner, he said delightedly. This seemed to Tnit an end to any anxiety. Perrv was asked for his views on Britain's prospects of retaining the D "\v\.-l] ,U l'think we have a darned eoed ehance." he replied, "particularly now that Ellsworth Vines has appai-.-■ntlv turned professional." He said it had"tr.ken Britain 21 years to win the cup bar!:- and it, had taken the team V-tiich had won it this year three voirs to e<H it, so that it was not likely "that thev- were going to lose it again v.Mthout'a, "bit of a scrap." ■■We shall have a try anyway. You never can tell," he added. . As to France's prospects of regaining the Davis Cup, Perry said he thought it a bi"- task. Ccchet had turned professional, and this player he described as being the strength ot the French team. He thought that France would rely on A. Merlin, C. Boussus, and M. Bernard. In his view, the strongest competition next year would probably come from Australia, America, and Japan. Effect of Vines's Decision. "What effect has Vines's turning professional had upon tennis in the United States?" the British player was asked. , ~ . "I think it is one of the worst things that could have happened to them," Perry replied. "It is a severe blow to them, although probably they won't say so. HJ» was a very nasty man to have to play, was Mr Vines " Perry said he thought the United States would play F. X. Shields. S. B. .Wood, G. F. Lott, and J. Van Ryn next year, with possibly L. Stoefen m ■the side. Asked whether he thought F. Parker and Gene Mako were coming American stars, Perry said he thought Mako would be the finest player in America in about two years. He had a terrific service, "like the kick of a mule," and was a big husky fellow. "You know, I've heard nothing else for six months," laughingly replied Perry when he was asked about tnc two-handed backhand employed by the young Australian Davis Cup player, Vivian McGrath. "If he can't make it any other way," he continued, "1 suppose it is the best way to make it. I think it is a weakness in his play. It is a freak shot. I cannot see him being a world's champion, although I haven't seen him playing under his home conditions; and, judging by results, he must be better in Australia than in any other part of the world. He has had some very good wins, however. After all, he is only a kid, and he got very homesick towards the middle of the tour. I should think that if he is going to be a wond's champion he will have to alter his forehand drive and get some pace on it." Wearing; of "Shorts." Tennis shorts have become fashionable overseas; but very definitely not with Perry. He said he thought "Rabbit," meaning "Bunny" Austin, was leading the British players who wore shorts. Perry said that Quist, the Australian, had about 18 pairs of flannels. "Wc British players - who are not so rich," he added with a smile, "have to do with four or live." The British players and also the two Australians were very popular during the vovage. Quist said he thought George" Lott. the American, was the best doubles player in the world. Most of the Americans had a hard, fast service. Turnbull was not inclined to agree. He thought that the terrific service was not as pronounced as it tised to be. "Well," said Quist. "there are no first-class American players with a weak service." Quist. also said he thought that tennis shorts eventually would become very popular, possibly within the next five or six years. I-I. G. N. Lee, captain of the British players, said that the team was looking forward keenly to its tour. The English and Australian players ■were entertained at afternoon tea by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, and members of the Ministry. Several officials of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association were present. MATCHES 5N CHRISTCHURCH

The visiting English lawn tennis players, F. J. Perry, H. G. N. Lee, and F. H. D. Wilde, will arrive in Christchurch to-morrow morning. They will be met at Lyttelton by representatives of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association and motored to Christchurch by way of Sumner. After breakfast at the United Service Hotel Ihey will leave by the first express for Timaru. Mr R. Browning will accompany them as the representative of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association. They will play in Timaru to-morrow and return to Christchurch on Thursday. A civic reception will be extended to tho players at noon on Friday. The Australian players, D. P. Turnbull and A. K. Quist, will play at "Nelson to-morrow, and will arrive in Christchurch on Friday evening. The <nnidi on Saturday, commencing at 1.45 at Wilding Park, wi.il be between England and Australia, while on Monday, Labour Day, a !«;st maidi, England v. New Zealand, will be held. A specially prepared court in the centre of the stadium enclosure; shows every promise of bsing ;.i excellent condition. The recent rain ha;, been of much benefit, and the ground staff Is sparing no effort to have the playing surface f-jst and true. The boxplan for reserve seats is open at the Canterbury Sports Depot, and the deStand for seats has been very keen. I