EXHIBITION TENNIS

Evening Star, Issue 22273, 26 February 1936, Page 5

EXHIBITION TENNIS

VISIT OF HENRI COCHET To-morrow afternoon the lawn tennis public of Dunedin will have the opportunity for the first time of seeing a team of professional players in action. • Much has been heard of this branch of the game since AA r . T. Tilden forsook the ranks of the amateurs six years ago, and since it depends on its power to attract the public, physical fitness on the part of the players is a prerequisite condition. It can be taken for granted that this requirement will be fulfilled by Cochet and his Australian team-mates on the occasion of their

appearance at Logan Park, and that a thrilling display of the game in some of its brightest and best phases will result. When the players walk on the court all eyes will be focussed on Cochet. He bears a name that has resounded throughout the sporting world, and by the wizardry of his racket has won the Wimbledon, French, and American championships, as well ns scores of lesser titles. With Borotra and Lacostc he captured the Davis Cup from America and held it for six years. From 1928 to 1931 he was ranked as the first player in the world. And he comes to New Zealand still a complete master of the game, and the all-court game at that. His forehand drive is perfectly controlled, his volleying has scarcely ever been surpassed, and his backhand is spoken of as one of the best that has ever been seen in New Zealand. As amateurs, the two Willards, who are accompanying him, have been ranked in turn as high as fourth in Australia, and L. Baker, who completes the quartet. is a very sound exponent of the game, being especially formidable in doubles. Cochet will be seen in a singles and doubles match respectively, and the programme will also contain a further singles contest. The box plan is at the Otago Sports Depot.