TENNIS CHAMPION RETURNS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 38, 8 November 1919, Page 7

TENNIS CHAMPION RETURNS

GERALD PATTERSON IN SYDNEY

Amongst the passengers who relumed to Australia on tlto R.M.S. Niagara was Mr. Gerald Patterson, the Australian tennis champion. In an interview. Mr. Patterson said that ho and Air. Norman Brookes left England in July for America, whero they played in all the big tennis events. Tho general standard of play in America, lie said, was higher than elsewhere, and when Brookes and he were 'beaten in the singles championship the Americans wen.' piobably I lie better players on that .day. Brou'kcs's defeat was by a very narrow margin, while ho (Patterson) .lost his game by a tinglo stroke. The player who won' from him in the singles was tho winner of the content. Brookes and ho siiliset|uerit]y won tho American doubles championship. Mr, Patterson said that if America sent a team out to Australia ho thought there would be a reasonable chance of defeating it, as the top form of American players was no better generally than that of tho Australians. Johnston, the winner of the singles champion:-hip, was a steady player with a hard drive, and a splendid back-hand stroke, but. Tilden, the runner up, though erratic, was a much harder hitter; Tilden was a brilliant player with a strong service, but was handicapped by a nervous temperament, which probably caused his defeat in tho singles. Questioned as to the Davis Cup can lest with Gre.at Britain, which ks fixed to lake place in Sydney in January, Mr. Patterson said that if he were picked he would play. Tho visiting team from England, lie thought, would probably consist of Kingscotc, A. A. Lowe, and Beamish, whilst lie had heard, that Woosnani was likely la make the trip.

"We should win the Davis Cup." ho sai-d, "but of course ono never knows. In the United States tennis is booming and some fino players have been discorded. Tho popularity of the game is demonstrated i|>y tho fact that 11,000 persons watched tho final of tho singles championship. The attendances were tho best ho had ovor played in front of. They ■ were very impartial!, siml gave both Brookes 'and himself a splendid reception."

Iff. Patterson added that the general standard of play in England was very low at present. In America the gra>s ecu its were in good condition, and the spectators were all that coulil lw desired. The. crowds were trained by the umpires' dissociation to conduct themselves properly.