LAWN TENNIS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 57, 8 March 1913, Page 14

LAWN TENNIS

DAVIS CUP. i i >_-■ - (By "Kuka.") Should Now Zealand terminate her agreement with the Australasian Association after this year's Davis Cup competition, and apply to be recognised a,s a separate nation in the tennis world? is a question that many arc asking at present. Opinions differ. If New Zealand becomes "disrupt," is she suro of being recognised as a nation? That is a, doubtful matter. Then, again, is she strong enough to stand alone with players qualified to do battle against the world's beet? For sure there is Wilding, one of the best, ' but who can we find for him as a partner - -one strong enough to form Such a combination that we would have a fighting chance? Ollivier is spoken of. At present he is not experienced enough, but the question naturally crops up, are we going to wait until -we have up-to-date champions before such a step is taken? It' Ollivier or, say, Swanston, can be depended upon to go to London for experience and practice, there is no reason why the step should not be taker, now. Our young players must be given some goal to aim for. and as the Australasian Association has ,some hundreds of pounds— protits earmarked for Davis Cup purposes, of which New Zealand is entitled to onethird _ when she retires fioni the Australasian Association — possibly the time is ripe. When Australasia holds the Davis Cup New Zealand is entitled to have ( the competition held in this Dominion once to Australia's three times, and there does not appear much chance of it coming South of the Line this year, therefore* the chahce of the big event being played for in this Dominion during the next three or four years is not rosy. We might- as well take the chance 'of something good coming to the front during that time in our own land, with whom the Cup could be won. On those lines 'the decisioh is : become, if we can, a separate nation. On the other hand, if we ctit the painter with Australia, some say we will be isolated. The Australian players or their associations have never rushed us with any great support ; they do not compete in New Zealand, or even return the visits of New Zealand terras, which have beaten them. It stands or. .record that two men's and one ladies' teams have visited Australia (certainly they only played in New South Wales), and all the matches were won. A New South Wales ladies' team came -to New Zealand and suffered defeat. Can New Zealand be any worse off by retirement than she is now ? No. After all, does it do any good to the sport, sending a few. players rushing after the Davis Cup? It is all very well for countries that have leisured players (even those demand their 25s per day travelling expenses) who can put in the whole of their time beconiing experts. On the whole, it would appear desifable to terminate our agreement with Australia, get our share of the profits, apply to become a recognised nation, and, if desirable, send in a challenge for the Davis Cup ;' but before a team represents New Zealand > there are other matters which require greater attention. A professional coach is badly needed in this country, or to be correct coaches, one for each large centre, and also a suitable central ground where all big matches could be played. In "Huka's" opinion, we should "cut the paiater," but contrary opinions will j be cheerfully published. It is quite on the cards that Ollivier would be prepared to go to England to qualify if the gov- j erning body of New Zealand decided to become a separate nation. TEAMS FOR DAVIS CUP, 1913. Australasia (represented by, say, Wilding and Doust) are drjiwn to meet America. The Americans, no doubt, will go to England, so the Australasian pair, being there already,' should have some advantage. Even if Wilding wins both matches, Doust will have to improve greatly to secure a single, and their combination is hardly good enough for the American doubles players. France should beat Germany. Canada-, which has Powell, ex-Britisher, to assist, will find South Africa a hard task, that is if the match is played on courts fast and hard. Belgium should fall to any of the above nations. On paper it looks like America fighting it out with France, and if the former gets her best team away, the British Isles will require more than Parke's Irish drive to keep the Cup from going back to its original home. It is going to be a big time for the spectator, and the !'big" tennis player, and possibly the All England Club will be the biggest gainer. L. W. Hawkins U\ at present in Wellington on a visit irom Wanganui. In the latter town the genial one is looked up to as one of the tennis experts, and without doubt he is that, for many reasons. Hawkins tells how tennis is booming in the city on the New Zealand Rhine, and has been working hard to enrol a good tennis team from this city for competition at the Easter Tournament in Wanganui. Under his wing visitors to Wanganui are promised a royal time both on and off the courts. He 'declares that his tennis has improved quite 015, One can believe anything when the genial Hawkins says it — just so. An enthusiastic supporter of Brougham Hill has taken exception to the remark which appeared in last week's column that "umpiring is difficult on the Brougham Hill courts." Unfortunately the letter is an anonymous one, and it is a rule not to reply to such, but if the writer vfcll forward his name (not for publication) "Huka" will be pleased, not to "withdraw," bat to give his reason for the casual remark One point "Huka" would now make quite clear, and that is, no comparison was drawn or intended to be drawn with other courts. All courts, or nearly all, have some drawbacks, more or less, which are against umpires, except the infallible— and that one the writer has not seen yet. •- DADIES' OUTINGS. Last Wednesday a team of ladies from the Brougham Hill Club visited the Hutt Club and spent a most pleasant afternoon. It was a return visit, the Hutt players, having visited Brougham Hill Courts the week before. The ladies vote these informal afternoons as the best. It is n6t a case of 'one team 'trying to beat the other, all the players mix up and play simply for the pleasure of the game. There are no cups or medals, or honours to be won, just a pleasajit outing, and, of course, afternoon tea. It is real enjoyment. WELLINGTON CHAMPIONSHIPS. j Players are reminded that the Wei- ] lington championships are to be played at Palmerston North at Easter. From all accounts there will be new holders for all events, as the present champions appear 'unlikely to compete. Nevertheless a good company of players are expected to make the trip from Wellington, and they will meet stern opposition, especially in the ladies 1 events, from northern players.. WANGANUI CHAMPIONSHIPS. The Wanganui tournament, which 6tarls on Good Friday, bids fair to be a most successful one. Dickie and Wallace, of Taranaki fame, are likely starters, and the tournament is meeting with great support from all clubs in and around Wanganui. To players from a distance, the trip up the Wanganui River is in itself a great attraction, and entries promise to be a record one.