LOSS OF PERRY

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

LOSS OF PERRY

The London Press has accepted the loss of Fred Perry to amateur lawn tennis with philosophic calm. Writers do not think the loss of Perry will have any effect on the big Wimbledon carnival. Australians who have been to Wimbledon will agree, provided that the best men of Germany, France, America, and some other countries do not tarry elsewhere. Even then, Wimbledon will be the Mecca of lawn tennis enthusiasts, and of thousands who may not be classed beneath that caution.

In the "Daily Express,", London, a writer puts it briefly and aptly when he says:-1-

"Will the fortnight at Wimbledon be affected? Not in the least. At this instant it is practically impossible to reserve a ticket for next .summer's events, and so long as Wimbledon remains more of a social function than a sports occasion it can afford to laugh at competition. .-■''•

"Thousands go to Wimbledon not be- ; cause "they are deeply interested .in - tennis^ but because it is the thing to '. do. They are not the folk who will-; buy seats to look at professionals, even ■ if men almost as.; noted as Perry fol- ■. low his example. We can, of course,' kiss good-bye to the Davis Cup. It was '"" not more than an even-money bet that,'.'

we would have retained it even if Perry had been available, but with our best man not eligible we can make lip our minds for another lengthy period among the also-rans. '..'.■

"If Budge, of America, yon Cramm, of Germany, and Quist, of Australia, clash at Wimbledon, the folk who buy seats will get their fill of the thrills."