OPEN TENNIS RANKING

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22021, 19 February 1937, Page 19

OPEN TENNIS RANKING

AMERICAN'S REVIEW OF THE YEAR PROFESSIONALS HEAD MEN'S LIST Open lawn tennis chanipionsWps are still a long way off, but thatdoes in prevent critics attempting to assess the relative merits of amateurs ana professionals. Robert Murray, writing in "Sports Illustrated" before Vines and Perry had begun their serieso matches, ranked the American first and the Englishman second, Cramm, the German amateur, tana. Most 'followers of the fame will now take the view that the first two P Uc ings should be'reversed. The task or ranking amateurs and P™toaonaW who hive not met in.the year^ under review is an almost impossibly dim cult one. but the list, is none the less interesting. The writer's ranking «» men and women players is as follows, professionals being indicated oy d " asterisk: — Men 1. *H. E. Vines (United States). 2.* F. J. Perry (England). 3. G. von Cramm (Germany). 4. *H. Nusslein (Germany). 5. J. D. Budge (United States). 6. *W. T. Tilden (United States). 7. H. W. Austin (England). 8. A. K. Quist (Australia). 9. J. H. Crawford (Australia). 10. *H. Cochet (France). Women 1. Miss A. Marble (United States). 2 Miss H. Jacobs (United States). 3. Mme. H. Sperling (Denmark). 4 Miss K. E. Stammers (England). 5. Mme. S. Henrotin (France). 6 Miss E. Babcock (United States;. 7. Miss D. E. Round (England) 8. Mrs S. Fabyan (United States). 9. Mile. J. Jedzrejowska (Poland). 10. Mrs D. Andrus (United btatesj. A Forgotten Man Murray says that Nusslein, whom he ranks fourth, is one of the least known and most under-rated players in the world. Of Tilden he says that although the "old master's" shots are as good as ever, his legs and stamina would be lacking in a five-set match. He adds that there are three or four outstanding professionals who might peat Budge, Austin, Crawford, or Quist — such men as Karel Kozeluh (Czechoslovakia), M. Plaa (France), and V. Richards (United States)—they have not had in the last few years the continuous match play vital to top-class tennis. ... In justification of placing Miss Marble first on the women's list, he writes:—"To base the ranking of one player on an individual performance might be unfair and unwise. But if that performance is the climax of a campaign which an astute self-direc-tion and a tremendous courage effected, then it is neither unfair nor unwise. . . . After Miss Marble collapsed at the Stade Roland Garros in 1934 she went to California to recuperate, then studied over her forehand and backhand and in 1936 returned to win the national singles title from Miss Jacobs." Mme. Sperling he describes as "the German-born Dane who, with the awkward efficiency of a setter, retrieved seemingly impossible shots to press Miss Jacobs to three sets in the Wimbledon finals." DAVIS CUP TENNIS N.Z. PLAYING CHINA AT END OF APRIL (UKITKO Pa»SB ASBOCIATIO*—COPYBIOHT.) PARIS, February 17. In the first round of the Davis Cup contest the match New Zealand v. China will probably be decided at the Stade Roland Garros on April 60, May 1, and May 2. TENNIS PLAYERS. The gut used by us tor all our restringlng and repair work is selected with the greatest care and you can leave your racket In our hands with every confidence. All work done on the premises by our own stringer, who has strung rackets for Vivian McGrath and all the leading players. Our motto: Quality. The Canterbury Sports Depot. 258 High. st. —1