LAWN TENNIS

Evening Star, Issue 21623, 19 January 1934, Page 5

LAWN TENNIS

[By Recorder.] FIXTURES. January 18-23.—North Island championships, at Rotorua.'' Easter Dates.—South Island championships, at Logan Park, Dunedin. Interclub Matches. Unfortunately weather conditions were such that only; a few sets were played in the local iuterclub matches, which were resumed last Saturday afternoon after the holidays, i A number of the A grade clubs had difficulty in raising teams, as several of their regular members were still away on holidays. Most of the A grade matches were completed during the week, and at the time of writing one match, Opoho v. N.E. Valley, had reached" the stage where the former team was leading 8 sets- (107 games) to 7 sets (111 games). As N.E. Valley has a lead in games_ a win for this club of the remaining mixed double should give them the match. In-this match a good single was seen between Hawksworth and- M'Carthy, the. former gaining the victory at 9-5, while Cheyne proved, much too steady for Douglas. Ogg, a promising player, did (well in his match against,Robb, and for so young a player in_his first match gave a good account of himself. Hawksworth and Douglas showed better combination than M'Carthy. and Cheyne to win their doubles. In the ladies’ singles both Mrs Cheyne and " Miss Beckley proved too strong for their opponents, but Miss Wood and Miss L. Brown evened these events by gaining victories' for Opoho. Only three matches have been played in the match between Kaituna and Moana. Guy proved too steady for Sherriff, whom he defeated -9-3, while Duthie’s good driving and volleying earned him the victory over J. .Anderson, 9-4. In the first m,en’s double, however, Sherriff and Callender gained a surprise victory when they defeated Duthie and Guy, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3., Callender was the outstanding player, his fast drives consistently finding the openings, .while Sherriff-served and yolleyed well. Except for a short period in the-second set: Duthie did not play-up to his best form, hut even when not right on their game the Moana pair have always proved toVbe a tough proposition j and - the Kaituna men’s win was an excellent performance. , In the St. Kilda-Roslyn .match M'Dpugall defeated Pollock, 9-8, after an-evenly-contested game; while Rawi linson gained an easy victory when he . accounted for Black, 9-0. A good match was seen between Swallow and Chisman, the former winning, 9-7. The only • ladies’: single played resulted in a win for Miss Rackley, who defeated Mrs Tregear, 7-5. The second men’s double was won by the St. Kilda pair, Rawlinson and Swallow, in straight sets, and Rawlinson gained’ his third, victory ' when, partnered with Mrs Tregear, they defeated Black and Mrs Hill, 9-6. St. Kilda " are at the time of writing lead- ' . ing Roslyn by 5 matches to 2.

Notes. The St. Clair team which travelled to Ranfurly to play the local club, while not , being able to complete its ( match owing to rain, spent a very enjoyable week-end. In the matches played, however, the Ranfurly men especially showed that they are capable of playing a, high grade ;br tennis,’ Ei; Halstead, late bf'Edslyn Club, is first, man for Ranfurly, and in both his singles and doubles he drove and volleyed _ with plenty of pace and accuracy. B. Simonsen, Ranfurly, also showed good form in both his matches, his fast service and strong forehand drive winning many points. In the evening the members of ’ the St. Clair team were the guests of the Ranfurly Club at a very enjoyable dance. , Considerable difference of opinion exists as to what is the best age for boys and girls to begin playing the game of lawn- tennis. Start; them young ” is the injunction laid oh parents and followers of'the game. An authority on the subject is Mrs Wightman, of Boston, She has not only won more national titles than any Woman in the history of the game, but she has done more; to develop young players and improve • their - games than anyone else. Mrs Wightman was recently asked by ‘ American Lawn Tennis ’: “At what age do you think children should start to play lawn tennis?’’ Her reply is most comprehensive and. illuminating: “ I think that all children as young'as ■ four-'dr five years should have toy rao- . kets and balls to play: with on the porch or in the yard. A few years'later real instruction (using . a... bang-board) will helpthem tremendously. : Some - boys of eight can do well on a tennis court, but few girls before they are ten. When they are too young the net attracts the eye; and they develop form better without a net. I often put' them on one side of a court and stand opposite them on the other side. Then they have short distances to chase balls and accomplish a lot in a short time. 1 think the competition which they get in. one set one day tournaments build up very good match temperament.” In a special Press interview recently Mrs Jack Crawford revealed, some of the secrets of her husband’s ultimate success in winning at Wimbledon. “ Apart from the hours devoted to practice and play Jack made a close study of his rivals, and in this I gave hini every possible assistance. Jack and I were accustomed to watch his opponent for the next match and take note of his strength and weaknesses and formulate a plan of campaign.' Jack has always been in the habit of doing this. Mercer Beasley, the American coach, is also » great, believer in studying players. Ellsworth Vines also watched quite a. lot. Sometimes Jack;.had to play qt the. same time as his next opponent. He would,then ask me to follow theigame of Bis -rival. Jack suffered no reaction after Wimbledon. He was exceedingly keen to carry off the .Davis Cup, and ; kept himself keyed up for the encounter with the British team. When Australia was eliminated the bottom some • what fell out of things. There was net the same incentive to keep at concert pitch,-and this was reflected in his play. After playing five years on end the strain naturally took its toll. In consequence Jack really did not do himself justice at Forest Hills. I was very • pleased in the circumstances that lie put up such a good game against Perry.”