TENNIS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11949, 20 May 1933, Page 11

TENNIS

MCGRATH IN ENGLAND

CENTRE OF INTEKES'J

LONDON, May I.

Spectators .at- tlio hard court tennis championships at Bournemouth, which after Wimbledon, are Britain's most important tournament, were so anxious to sec the play of Vivian McGrath, tbo young Australian, that the centre court was practically deserted for tho outer court, where McGrath was play-' .mg against Hcnu. Henri failed to extend McGrath, but whenever the opportunity was presented McGrath demonstrated! tho remarkable speed of bis two-handed backhand stroke.

The “Evening Standard,” describing McGrath’s first match won on backhand play, says: — “There is m> room to doubt tho efficiency of this much heralded stroke. Its perpetrator is a neat figure, with a deeply tanned, spjiling face. He grips the racket hard, and swings his whole body into a po’ossal blow.” Mr Wallis Myers, writing in tho “Daily Telegraph,” ways:—“McGrath lias brought a method of backhand stroke production which has never been seen previously, at any rate, iii England. The metamorphosis is so quick and so simple that there is no loss of balance or of power , involved. McGrath .'dared the ball with the dou-ble-handed stroke wherever ho wished, a.ud vi-'fh ma>-!mom speed. To-dav be was not penp{red to shop' bis full stron" , f!\ but lie is a hov whose enterprise and composure are both be.rbingers of success. ‘iTprhpli and Opicf were scarcelv tested, but pnov'h has been seen of “•air :-.trol--'S to cre°te a pVashvg im-

t'.ressiou. Thav have all >«vivf eq meet which. is npb'o of rapid <le-va'p-nient i'iiLi- experience.”