LAWN TENNIS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 106, 1 November 1930, Page 22

LAWN TENNIS

3Y "HUK6" COMING TOURNEYS

HOLIDAY TENNIS

NO TEAM FEOM SOUTH AFRICA

ASSOCIATIONS' TOURNAMENT DATES. N.Z.L.T.A. Championships, at Christchurch.— 2Btlt, 27th, 2!) th. 30th, and 31st Decemher. Mnrlboruugh Championships, at Blenheim. — 23!U, 2<ith, 27th December. North Otsißo' Championships, .it Oamaru.—2sth, 2Gth, 2-7 th December. Southland Championships, at Inverciirgill.— 25th. 20th. 27th December. Hawkes Bay Championships, at Napier.—2sth, 2Cth 27th, 29th December. Auckland Handicaps, at Auckland.—26th, 27th, 20th, 30th December. Poverty Bay and East Coast Championships, at Glsborne.—26th, 27th. 20th, 30th, 31st De-eembc-r. Nelson Championships, at Nelson.—3lst December. Ist. 2nd, 3rd January. Auckland Outer Suburban Championships, at Auckland.—lst. 2nd, 3rd January. South Canterbury Championships, at Timaru. — Ist, 2nd. 3rd January. Otatio Championships, at Dunedin.—lst, 2nd, 3rd January. Wanganui Championships, at Wanganul.—lst, 2nd, 3rd January. Taranaki Championships, at New Plymouth.—. 6th, 7th, Bth,-9th, 10th January. Manan-atu Championships, at Palmerston Xorth.—l2th, 13th, 14th, 15th January Wellington Championships, at Miramar. —21st, 22nd, 23rd. 24th January. » Auckland Championships, at Auckland.—2Bth, 29th, 30th, 31st January. Canterbury Championships, at. Christchurch. — 29th, 30th, 31st. January. CLUBS' OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS. Rotorua Tournament, at Kotorua. —25th, 26th 27th December. Martinborough Tournament, at Jlartinborough. —20th 27th, 29th, 30th December. Kaikohe Tournament, at Kaikohe.—lst January and following days. Walpukurau Tournament, at Waipulturau.— 19th, 20th January. Walpawa Tournament, at Waipawa.—l6th, lith, 19th, 25th January. EASTER DATES. Canterbury Association (hard court),-at Christchurch. North Auckland Association, at Whangarei. Thames Valley Association, at Thames. Otasro Association, at. Dunedin. Wellington Association, at Miramar. "With the season now well on the road tennis players are looking ahead to fixtures not only on their own courts but elsewhere. Some map out their tournament engagements early,' securing the best partners available .for tournaments both in and outside Wellington. Some are also eager to know if there is any chance of a team visiting New Zealand to play "big tennis" or if a team is-likely to be sent to Australia. From appearances there will bo no outside teams visiting the Dominion this season, and as for a team going away—well 'that is for the New Zealand Association to decide. As things are at present in Australia perhaps it would be as well to have some "big tennis" in New Zealand, by playing a team's match, North Island v. South Island. The teams should be composed of both sexes. Such a match or matches would possibly do players more good than matching them against Australian players at present. As for a Davis Cup team being nominated, that is also a question for the Management Committee, and as it means a big expenditure of money, will require careful consideration from all points of view before deciding one way or the other. South Africans. ' It now appears certain that the South African team will not visit the Dominion this year or next, as, according to a- South African paper, • the South African" Council has arranged with the Czecho-Slovakians for a team to visit South Africa towards the end of the present year. A slight hitch occurred as a message was received stating that owing to ill-health there was a possibility that John. Kozeluh would not be able to join the team. The South Africans cabled back, "We want Kozeluh," and as the team does not leave Europe for South Africa until the middle of November, it is just possible that Kozeluh 's health will be so improved that he may bo able to make the trip. Coming Champions. The junior championships of Great Britain were held during the month of September, and a large number of the winners of county junior championships and junior tournaments entered this year for the big gathering, which was held at Wimbledon. The total entry of 367 is, numerically about the same as last year, the intending competitors having to satisfy the committee that their standard of play justified acceptance. The play of the girls was of a higher standard than that of the boys. This has generally been the case of late years in England, the reason being that the girls grow Tip quicker and have not only earlier opportunities, but more' time to devote to the game. The girls are also greater individualists than the boys, and have more coaching, which speaks well for those that do the coaching. Rqturn of Australians. The Australian Davis Cup team is back again in its own land. It is interesting to note-that Harry Hopman thinks that Tilden is still the world's best player, although generally Cochet is regarded as the world's greatest player. Hopman considers that Tilden, despite his 37 years, is still good enough to depose Cochet, if he would only go to the net against the Frenchman. Tilden is as well conditioned as any of the leading players of the world, and is the greatest gate-drawing player in' the world. Hopman appears to be the most'improved player of the quartet that visited the Old World. Willard and Moon are no better than they were before the trip, but Hopman has improved generally all round. His back hand has improved greatly, and his drive now lias more speed, and it most certainly is more under control. He can make his winners now from that direction with plenty of confidence. Crawford, on the other hand, is a disappointment, no great improvement being noticeable. He has not the stroko equipment of Hopman, but neither has he the temperament that is essential for championship play. These players since thtir return took part in tlio annual championships that are played at. BtrathfieJd, a subarb of Sydney, and Hopman was the star player. He gave a most finished display in all his matches, and captured the approval of the crowd. When bigger events are staged a moro definitedecision can be arrived at as to whether the Australian < players, who made the' trip, have benefited as much as was expected.