LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1186, 22 July 1911, Page 15

LAWN TENNIS.

DAVIS CUP. AN INTERESTING ARTICLE. Following on tho article which appeared in "American Lawn Tennis," and which was reprinted last week, with reference. to a strong American team being available Inst year, iv lender-in the i.ssuo of May 15 entirely confirms the, theory that America's champion, W. A. Lamed, is nt the present time favourably considering tho possibility of making tho trip. The article reads as follows:—

"It is gratifying to know that while at this time it is impossible to even say that an American .Davis Cup team will be gotten together, yet n deeidedlv hopeful feeling prevails. We may go further, nnd say that tho selection committee is not concerned at the present time with a team, but that it is hopeful of placing on the Now Zealand courts America's full playing strength—or almost this. Many things may huppen between now and next December to put an entirely complexion on. the matter, but, on the other hand, time may be kind to us, and bring to us the reward we have , desired so ardently, and worked so unremittingly to uchioye. It has been, a long quest this pursuit of the Davis Cup, and there have been times when it seemed destined to bo ever fruitless, that our best efforts availed naught, nnd that we must ere long cease striving—temporarily, nt least—from sheer lack of ability* in do so with any reasonable prospect of success. But wo, have never been willing to. admit defeat, and we ,do not believe the day will over come when wo shall be willing to throw up our hands and admit complete failure. "The contemplation' of the achievements of the eminent always possesses' charm, and an ever-interesting task is the comparison of past performances,' and of speculation as to the result of the meeting of the great in mimic or real warfare. Who would not make almost any sacrifice to see a match between Larhod and Brookes—the two , men who, by general opinion, artf tho ftrentost jilayers of the day? What a combat.it would be—a battle of the giants, in which brain and brawn, backed by a profound knowledge of the game, by tactics of the first order, and by phenomenal skill,, would be ar : rayed on each side in almost equal prev portions! Of the outcome no one could do.moro than hazard a prediction,, and opinions would probably differ as widely as would the nationality of the adherents., of the respective champions. No other two men could;be found to present so many difficulties tojhe would-be winnerpicker. Wilding arid Wright have both beaten Brookes, nnd been beaten ■by him, and, therefore, they have claims ivhich might be urged in favour of their inclusion in this grouping of the giants of the court. France might present tlie claims of its favourite sons, Decugis, Gernior, and. now, Bobart; just as Germany could, with reason, point to the splendid progress of its Froitzheim and Rahe; nnd England would,'perhaps, cite the case of the remaining Doherty., But we believe that Lamed and Brookes would, by general acclaim, be given the honour of beijig the two men best qualified to battle for the chanipionahip of the* frorld. "Fitness is an. element that must be reckoned with in any discussion of the Erobable result of a! meeting between arned and. Brookes. ,W'e know that the Australian is not as robust as his American rival, especially of late years, and we can feel pretty surp that a meeting between the' two wheiir,the Antipodean was not fit could have but one result. Let us assume, therefore, that the mighty Brookes steps on the court trained to the minute, right on edge, and ready for & gruelling encounter. It would then bccoma (i question whether the wizardrv of the 'down-under , representative would prevail over the less subtle but essentially sound and formidable attack of the American champion. It is scarcely fair to haTk back to the time of the last meeting of tho two men. That was in 1905, when, on' tho Wimbledon courts, Lamed emerged victor after"' a clo=e match, the score being U—l2, 6—o, 6—3. Since- then Brookes has improved tremendously. _But_ so has Lamed, and tho latter -has had'a.career of uninterrupted victory since 1907. Not once since then'has he met defeat or been in serious danger. His game has improved year by year; his tendency to 'crumple up' under stress has apparently" been entirely eradicated, i'ho rheumatism which troubled and handicapped him seriously, for many years after' tho Spanish war has entirely disa'ppeared. He is to-day, as far ns appearances go, fitter than ever before in his life, and stronger in every department of the game. No one in America can stand before him. Brookes is his' only rival, and a match between the two mcii would be a , battlo of Titans."

Mr. James Jl Laiighlih, a vice-president ■otthe-jrelbourne Cricket Club, who is at present in America, confirms the opinion expressed by me that W. A. Lamed will probably make the trip to New Zealand. In a private letter he states that ho , has several-times met Beals Wright, who informed him that, while it was very doubtful that he himself would be able to ro, there was every chance of Lamed doing so, as the reason which has previously prevented him has now 'been removed. The management committee met'at Sydney on Monday night, nnd, after adopting the recommendation of the New Zealand association that tho challenge match he played at. Christchurch.-appointed N. B. Brookes sole selector of the Australasian team. • .