LAWN TENNIS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2069, 21 December 1907, Page 2 (Supplement)

LAWN TENNIS.

The London correspondent of tho “Canterbury Times” writing on November 1, says : —Among the passengers leaving Victoria yesterday morning in the Continental boat-train was Air. Norman Brooks, the lawn tennis champion, who is returning to Melbourne in the P. and 0. liner India, embarking at Alarseilles. Several prominent players were on the platform to bid him farewell, and incidentally to witnes the departure from this country of the Davis international trophy which Air. Brookes, ns the principal captor, hr-il in bis possession, and is taking to Australia. In conversation with a Press representative Air. Brookes expressed himself more than satisfied with his second tour of this country, as, indeed- lie should be, seeing that ho'did not lose a solitary match in singles, and was only five times defeated in men’s doubles- —a record which none, save H. L. Doherty, has eclipsed in recent years. “I was naturally disappointed,” lie said, “that I did not meet H. L. Doherty at Wimbledon, for it was largoly in the hope of plaving him that I came over again, anti I should have liked to pit myself against last year’s holder m tho challenge -round. But I am looking forward to a chance in tlio near future, either in this country, to which I shill try to return, or ill Australia, when the English team comes out, ns I trust it may next year, in quest of the Davis Clip. Doherty’s position and mine are now relatively reversed. If ho wants to challenge me for the championship he will have to play through tile lists; and if I am here to defend niv title and he is successful in the eliminating matches, our meeting then would bo assured. As to what would lie the result of that engagement I will not hazard a prophecy, but I think a few people would back my chances.”