TENNIS.

Grey River Argus, 17 January 1928, Page 3

TENNIS.

Freeh Champions’ Visit. A TRIBUTE TO ANTHONY WILDING. WELLINGTON. January 16. Three French tennis players, Jean Borotra, Jacques Brugnon and Christian Boussus arrived from San Francisco by the Makura this morning. Borotra, when interviewed, said that he was very pleased to have the opportunity of visiting New Zealand, as this country had produced Anthony Wilding, whom he considered the greatest player that had ever existed, with Norman Brooks a good second. Referring to the Davis Cup, Borotra , said that ihey had been a trifle lucky to win, because while they themselves had been at the top of their form, Johnston, of the American team, was off his game. Lacoste and Cochet, the singles players, played wonderful t-?n--ifo throughout the tournament. All he and Brugnon had done was to lose a point to the Americans. Referring to the French stylo of the game that had come into prominence, Borotra said they wore primarily volleyers, whereas in America the players, like Johnston and Tilden especially, kept to the baseline. The Ficnchmen speeded the game up by taking the ball before it bounced. It was this new type of play that was mainly responsible for their success in the Tenni.i Cup. 'Die Frenchmen are on route to AusIra I ia. where they play a series of matches from January 24 to March 3, 1 afterwards going to South Africa. In Wellington, on Wednesday and Thursday, they play exhibition games against Ollivier and Barfleet in singles, and Knott and Sturt in the doubles. The youthful players, Boussus and Alalfroy, meet on Thursday. NO GRASS COURTS IN FRANCE. "■ - - WHERE NEXT DAVIS (TP CONTEST WILL BE PLAYED. LATER. Al. Borotra spoke enthusiastically of Boussus, the nineteen year old member of the party, whom he predicted would be champion of France in tin* next five years. He was a great trier, and wis able to recover seemingly impossible shots. Boussus, on his return to France, would be required to serve for eighteen* months in the army, but it was hoped that he would be able to keep up his tennis. Al. Brugnon, the veteran of the team, remembers playing against th? late Anthony Wilding in a mixed doubles match in Faris, in .1913. lie -aid that this year, for the first time, he Davis Cup challenge would be play’d on hard courts. Th y had no courts in France. He did not think this could be taken as a sign that hard courts would supersede grass, although, should the Cup be held on the Continent for some years, there might he a tuidency for other countries wishing to gain it, to concentrate their best players on hard courts. When asked which type of court he preferred, he answered, 1 ‘Grass courts are very much nicer.” AL Brugnon thought that French tennis would be strong for years to come. The winning of the Cup had given a stimulus to the game, and besides AL Boussus, there were many young players coming on. The players, in spite of their travelling. say that they are very fit. They played exhibition games in sweltering heat at Papeete and Raratonga. ACCORDED CIVIC RECEPTION. WELLINGTON, January 16. The Mayor, speaking at a reception to the French tennis players, congratulated the visitors on winning the Davis Cup. New Zealand, he said, was fortunate in having a visit from them. After referring to New Zealand’s association with France in the War, Air Troup said he was sure the tennisers’ visit would do much to strengthen the bond of friendship already existing. Other speakers included Councillor Luckie, the Attorney-General (Hon F. J. Rolleston), Air Peacock (New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association), and Mr Al. E. Denniston (Wellington Association). Al. Borotra, replying, endorsed Mr Troup’s remarks concerning friendship between New Zealand and France. He lai id that they had looked forward tc this visit for some time. They were sorry they were not staying longer, but hoped to come back again.