DAVIS CUP ZONES

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 153, 26 December 1936, Page 7

DAVIS CUP ZONES

AUSTRALIA'S CHOICE

EUROPEAN OR AMERICAN ?

The officials of the' Lawn Tennis Association of Australia will shortly have to decide whether Australia will challenge in the American zone or in the European, zone for the 1937 Davis Cup :#;ries. Australia's success or'-failure may depend on this choice, says Dr. G. H. McElhone, in the "Sydney Morning Herald." . ■ •It was obvious, from the result of the challenge round, this' year, -that 1937 was going to.be a momentous-year, es it seemed that the Davis Cup would possibly go to another nation. F. J. Perry's crossing to the professional ranks has confirmed this. There is now little doubt that Great Britain will lose the coveted trophy. \ The likely winner is limited to three nations—Australia, the trnited States, and Germany. The last-mentioned may be said to have an "outside" chance, since the one great German player, G. yon Cramm, can scarcely win the Cup. It would seem, then, that, the issue will lie between Australia and the Uftited States; hence the choice of zone becomes the vital problem. . What must be taken into consideration in making this choice? Play in the ' American zone will obviate excessive travelling. This may seem the deciding factor; yet other things must receive serious consideration. The supporters of this zone state . that, if the United States Lawn Tennis Association agrees to the match being played on a grass court, the challenge should be issued in this zone, but Australia would be playing into the hands of her strongest adversary. Australia's strongest opponents would be playing on their own court, with their own supporters to' cheer them on, and using the make of ball with which they are familiar, thoroughly accustomed to climatic conditions, food, and atmospheric effects. In, the American zone final this year, Australia won by three rubbers to two. Australia was extremely fortunate to win the doubles. J. D. Budge and G. Mako led by two sets to love. In the fourth set they led five games to three, and fifteen-thirty on Quist's service. J. Crawford, at that stage, put up a •'sitter" to Budge; but Mako. with the call of "mine," almost hit, the ball off Budge's nose and into the bottom of the net. If Mako had not interfered, Budge must assuredly have won the point, and this would have given the Americans two match points. The conscious knowledge of the wrong he had done affected Mako's subsequent play to such an extent that, as one critic wrote, "he was so bad thereafter that he could not hit a balloon." Since Budge and Mako have accomplished many brilliant things, and have gained greater experience, it seems logical to assume that Budge and Mako will be a better pair next year. One must concede two singles to Budge. TRAVELLING OFFSET. Play in the European zone will necessitate much travelling; but the opposition will be weaker, and Australia, provided it is represented by J. Crawford, A. K. Quist, and V. B. McGrath, should experience little difficulty in reaching the inter-zone final. The only drawback is that, the team will then have: to travel back to London, and will have only ji few days on a grass court before playing in the intcrzdne final, almost certainly against the United States. This should not prove such a serious disability as meeting the same opponents in America. The Australians would meet the United States at Wimbledon on an equal footing. and would have enhanced prospects of .winning the doubles, the deciding tie of the match.

Mr. G. Tanner has been been appointed by the Wellington Provincial Yacht and Motor-boat Association to manage the Wellington crew at the Sanders Cup contest at Lyttelton, beginning on February 4. Mr. Tanner will also act as Wellington's- delegate at'the-conference.