TENNIS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 23 August 1924, Page 10

TENNIS.

A GREAT VICTORIAN. When N. E. Brookes met D. E. Rutnam, the Cambridge Blue, in the singles at Wimbledon, the Sportsman said: “Rutnam, who is an Indian, seemed somewhat nervous at the start, and began shakily. Brookes, wearing his cloth cap as of yore and looking grim and determined as ever, was using the familiar square-headed racket, with which he made all kinds of varied services, now sending the ball to one side and again to another. By some fine volleying and half-volleying Brookes captured the first two sets, but in the third set the character of the game took on a change. Rutnam, by some clever placing, led 3—l and 4 after which ‘ Brookes seemed to give up the set, which the Indian won at 6—2. After that,.however, Brookes lost only one more game.” , London Sporting Life, in an appreciation of the great Victorian, said: ‘‘The only past holder of the men’s singles championship in Norman Brookes had liis first taste of the new centre court. Past memories of his many wonderful performances in that ‘dear’ old centre court at Worple road were brought to mind as one watched him entering the court with that same old determined expression on his face, the same curiously shaped racket, and the familiar' cap on his head. He is now a veteran, but his hand has lost little of its cunning, and his timing is almost as perfect as ever. If it was not for the advance of years Brookes would be regarded as a certain winner of the championship, for there is no doubt that as a lawn tennis player he is easily the best in the field.” An unfortunate accident happened to Norman Brookes on June 19 at Wimbledon in his match against A. F. S. Kingscote. Brookes was leading 5 1 in the first set when he wap hit in the right eye by the ball sb severely that he had to retire, and was at once taken to a specialist. Brookes was showing splendid form, which, if he could have kept it up, would have made him an easy winner against the best English player.