TENNIS STARS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 19, 17 October 1933, Page 10

TENNIS STARS

Arrival at Wellington DAVIS CUP PLAYERS Comments by F. J. Perry England’s chances of retaining the Davis Cup are considered bright by F. J. Ferry, British Davis Cup representative and national singles champion of America, who arrived at Wellington by the Maunganui yesterday from San Francisco in company with other distinguished British and Australian lawn tennis players. “Australia has some exceedingly fine players, though, but I think we should probably take the cup between us,” he said. “It has taken us 21 years to get it. and this particular team three years, and |t is not likely that we are going to let it go without a. bit of a scrap. ... But, of course, you never can tell.” In addition to Perry, those who arrived yesterday were H. G. N. Lee, British Davis Cup representative, F. ,H. D. Wilde, also from England, and Adrian Quist and D. P. Turnbull, the Australian Davis Cup players. The visitors have been playing throughout the United States, where Perry met with'remarkable success by defeating Jack Crawford, Australia, thus securing for himself the American singleschampionship title. The five players will be competing in New Zealand before making a tour of Australia, the Australians making their debut in a match at Nelson to-morrow, and the Englishmen playing at Timaru the same day. France’s Prospects. When approached on the Maunganui, Perry smilingly confessed that he had little to say about tennis, for, he said, their main activities during ike. past three weeks had consisted in meeting the ship’s company at cricket. But as to France’s prospects of regaining the Davis Cun. he could only say ttiat the loss of Cochet, through his turning professional, would undoubtedly make a difference to the strength of the team. One could hardly expect Borotra and Brugnon to recapture the cup at their age, and he thought that France would rely upon A. Merlin. M. Bernard and C. Boussus. Australia, America and Japan would provide the most serious opposition, while the loss of Prenn would make it difficult for Germany, He hardly thought that Borotra and Lacoste would stage a “come-back.” “Vines turning professional—what dp I think of it? Well, I think it is a very severe blow to America, although they say no,” Perry said. “But be Was always a very nasty man to have to play, Mr. Vines. ... I should think that America will play Shields and Wood in the next contest Sroeffen may play also, and a likely team would comprise F. X; Shields, S. B. Wood. G. F. Lott, J. van Ryn and L. Stoeffen. I was very impressed, in America with F. Parker and Gene Mako. The latter, I think, will be the finest player in America in two years’ time. He has a terrific serve—a serve like the kick of a mule —and he himself is a tremendous, husky fellow. ! , McGrath’s Backhand Drive. Perry smiled when asked to discuss McGrath’s much-discussed two-handed backhand drive. “I have heard nothing else during the last six months than ‘What do von think of McGrath’s twohanded backhand drive?’ ” he said. “Of course, it is a freak shot. If he cannot make it any other way, I suppose it is the best way to make it. I think it is a weakness in his game, and frankly I cannot see him being a world champion. But I have not seen him playing under his own conditions, and, judging by results, he must be better in Australia than in other parts of the world. After all, he is only a kid. and he got very homesick toward the middle of his tour. I should think that in order to lie a world champion he will have to alter his forehand drive and get some pace into it.” Perry said he was tremendously impressed with the speed with which most of the American players served. They were like shots from a gun, and before one knew where one was the server had secured a “love” game. It was almost impossible to see the ball. One had to wait until service before attempting to secure points. One thing which rather amused him in America whs the excuses made for their defeat in the cup, but before their tour was over they found themselves in America’s first ten. The vogue of playing in “shorts? does not find favour with Peyry, and playing in the Davis Cup doubles against France, he was the only one wearing “longs.” “I suppose they are all right in a way,” he said, “but I hardly like them.” Looking Forward to Tour. H. G. N. Lee is the captain and manager of the team, and he said all' players were looking forward to their tour in New Zealand and Australia with pleasurable anticipation. Other than that he did not wish to make any comments. The two Australians, Adrian Quist and D. P. Turnbull, were greatly impressed in America with Stoeffen’s service. In fact, they said, there djd not seem to be any first-class American player without a lightning service. Although there were some who sent a medium-paced first service down, most players hit their first ball very hard. Shorts were worn a lot in England and America, and they thought most of the women players would take to them eventually. GUESTS OF MINISTRY The English and Australian tennis players were entertained at afternoon tea yesterday by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hoh. G. W. Forbes, and members of the Ministry. Several officials of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association were also present. IF WEATHER BAD Visiting Tennis Players ANOTHER DATE AVAILABLE There has been some fear in tennis circles that should the weather be unfavourable on Saturday week, October '2B, the Wellington public will be deprived of their only opportunity of seeing the visiting English and Australian players in action. It was mentioned, however, at last evening’s meeting of the management committee of the Wellington Lawn Tennis Association that the Englishmen, with C. E. Malfroy and D. G.- France; would ■ play on ’ Monday, October 30, if the weather were wet on Saturday. The Austra-/

lians will be available only on Saturday. The draw for these matches has not yet been made, but they will definitely not be played as international matches, such as England v. Australia, or England v. New Zealand, for instance.