LAWN TENNIS

Evening Star, Issue 15064, 21 December 1912, Page 5

LAWN TENNIS

BRITISH TEAM IN AUCKLAND. [Special to the Star.] AUCKLAND, December 21. The English tenuis champions arrived in Auckland yesterday. “We practically won the Cup wheii Parke beat Brookes,” said the visiting captain, Dixon, in the course of an interview at the Northern Club. He added that he (Dixon) managed to beat Heath in the second match, and then on form the annexation of the Cup was absolutely contain. The hero of the match was Parke, who managed to get right on the crest of his form. After arrival in Australia he had taken full advantage of the three or four weeks’ continuous practice, a privilege which he had never had in his life. 1 ‘ Most of the tournaments in England last a week,” said Mr Dixon, “ and it is not always convenient to get off for prolonged practice beforehand.” Ho stated that the Australian pair, Brookes and Dunlop, were too much for them, and equality in this department was shown by the_ Australian players in Sydney and Brisbane. “In both places,” said Mr Dixon, “we had the greatest difficulty in wanning our doubles. In Sydney we won six matches to two, and in Brisbane we did not lose a match.” He said that they were wonderfully impressed with Australia, both in regard to the high general standard of its tennis and also the vast potentialities of the' country. “When a million more people are settled on its lands,” he continued, “a great era of development will ensue in Australia. Take Brisbane, for instance. To my mind that city will increase tenfold during the next 50 years.” Speaking of tlie climate, Mr Dixon said he found the heat in Australia, very tf toying indeed, particularly in Melbourne, 0 and for that reason he did not strike his best .form. In Melbourne, too, they used the Ayres ball, to which he not used. In England they used the heavier Slazenger halls, which did' not spm so much in flight. The visiting captain paid a warm tribute to the cordiality of their reception in Australia. The people there had done everything possible to make tbeir visit enjoyable, and tho large crowds which witnessed the matches were most impartial. “ Yes,” remarked the visitor, we have been looking forward with much pleasure to oiir visit to New Zealand, for we have heard much of its beautiful scenery.” He added that the trip" to Rotorua en rout© to Hastings was' likely to be much appreciated, and they were anticipating further treats in the South.’ Speaking of the prospects for future Davis Cup contests, Mr,Dixon, said; it had been suggested that the Australians would l visit England next year, and he thought that if Wilding (now following commreical pursuits) could be induced to play, as well as Brookes, they would stand an excellent chance of winning back the trophy. In - any case Australia had some younger players who gay© promise of brilliant doings.