New Zealand's New Tennis Team

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29744, 10 February 1962, Page 9

New Zealand's New Tennis Team

R. N. HAWKES (Wellington), aged 21. Did not accumulate the titles the others did as a junior; ranked sixth on the national junior list in 1958 and fifth in 1959. Since leaving junior ranks he has bridged the gap to those who were above him and, like Clarke, he gained great benefit from being sponsored overseas in 1960. Returned to beat B. E. Woolf and P. G. Nicholls to reach Wellington singles final at end of 1960; was a 1961 national quarter-finalist and ranked fifth in the Dominion. This season beat Crookenden to reach the Canterbury and South Island semi-finals and lost to Crookenden in a national semi-final. Wilding Shield player three seasons.

L S. CROOKENDEN (Waikato), aged 18. The 1959 national under 17 singles champion and fourth-ranked New Zealand junior; 1960 ranked second; 1961 under 19 singles winner and ranked top junior; and this year triple under 19 champion. Winner ot BP tournament in 1960 and 1961. North Island finalist last year and reached New Zealand semi-finals before losing to Gerrard. Ranked fourth on the New Zealand senior list and selected with Gerrard and M. A. Otway in Davis Cup team. Had win over Gerrard while overseas. On return visited Australian tournaments and was then New Zealand singles finalist and winner of men’s doubles and mixed doubles.

R. G. CLARKE (Wellington), aged 20. The 1958 triple under 17 national champion and ninth-ranked junior after that season; 1959 under 19 singles winner and ranked second; 1960 triple under 19 champion and top-ranked junior. Toured overseas sponsored by Wellington association in 1960 and returned much improved. Won North Island singles at beginning of 1961, beating Crookenden in final and lost to B. E. Woolf in a national quarter-final; ranked third at end of season. Very successful this season, being a finalist at Canterbury, finalist at South Canterbury after beating Gerrard, and national semi-finalist. Wellington Wilding Shield player Cor four seasons.

J. B. SOUTER (Wellington), aged 19. Brilliant early when won Canterbury title in 1956 ait age of 14 from Northland. In 1957 won under 17 singles. Ranked fifth junior that year and has been third, first, third and second in years since. Won under 19 doubles in 1960 and 1961 and was runner-up for singles more than once. Won BP tournament in 1958 and 1959 and that year was also ranked ninth on the New Zealand senior list Had experience in Australia but progress slackened somewhat until the beginning of this season when he beat C. G. Judge and Crookenden to reach the Wellington final where he extended Gerrard. Fourth season Wilding Shield.