Unsatisfactory Aspect Of Tennis Rankings

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30200, 3 August 1963, Page 9

Unsatisfactory Aspect Of Tennis Rankings

AN unsatisfactory feature in the Canterbury tennis rankings issued last week was the failure to separate the two men at the ton.

The ranking committee placed the two leading University players, G. A. Davidson and P. S. Alexander, equal first, followed by R. McCutcheon (United), third, L. J. Walpole (University), W. Thom (Elmwood) and L. W. Watkins (Elmwood). It is not unusual to have players lower in a list given equal ratings, perhaps equal tenth, but it is undesirable not to name a top player. Although it is unlikely there will be any Important effect from this action in Canterbury, such a lack of distinction in rankings could mean embarrassment in invitations to tournaments, which sometimes go to top players only. No national list could be produced in this way. Ranking difficulties for the season were accentuated by the fact that three of the top players, Davidson, Alexander and L. J. Walpole were all members of the University senior men’s team. This meant they could not meet in club matches which help towards rankings. Davidson was ranked fourth in Canterbury at the end of the 1961-62 season when L. A. Gerrard, G. D. Moss and C. G. Judge were ahead of him. Alexander was not on that list but, after the departure of Gerrard Moss and Judge, and the return of Alexander, Davidson was ranked first and Alexander second on an interim list last December.

Davidson was top of the University team except for one match and he won the eight club matches he played. Alexander won five out of six of his matches at second position. In competition reported in “The Press" Davidson had a loss to Alexander and another to E. L. Martin: Alexander had losses to Judge, Walpole and Thom. From this Davidson might well have kept his top position. At the same time, the very able junior, R McCutcheon. who played top for the United senior team throughout the season, may be a little lucky to be third. McCutcheon is extremely keen, played more matches than most of the others and so had more chances for losses. As well as losses to Alexander and Davidson, he also had them to Watkins (twice), Martin (twice), R. Minson, R. Bruce and B. Aldridge. On this score Watkins might have a complaint and it is also doubtful if McCutcheon’s ranking ahead of Walpole could be substantiated. They did not meet but Walpole lost only to Davidson, Alexander and Judge.

There is an interesting change in the final womens list compared with the interim list of December. Miss S. Rich (United) is now second, changing place with Miss D Smith (Avonside), third. Miss Smith had the better of the early part of the season but Miss Rich beat her in the final of the Canterbury championship after the interim list was issued and this must have had considerable bearing on the change.