Days Before the War

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 175, 9 July 1932, Page 3 (Supplement)

Days Before the War

Stones of Great Tennis Players A TOURNAMENT AT WIMBLEDON WHEN WILDING WAS OVER-CONFIDENT. * Memories of Anthony Wilding, who was not only New Zealand’s greatest player of lawn tennis, but one of the world’s greatest players, and of H. A. Parker, also of New Zealand, are among the mental pictures which E, J. Sampson recalls in a’ very interesting article in the “Manchester Guardian.”

There was a Wimbkdon before the war, when on a blazing hot day Anthony Wilding was down to play 11. 8. Mahony, the tall Irishman who won the English championship in 1596. Entering a tent, one was aware of a naked figure lying on its back, that of Wilding getting ready for his match. Wilding was a man of magnificent physique, conscious of tho fact and proud of keeping in perfect condition. As an example of his hardness, it used to bo said that after a plunge he woulj dry himself by sitting in a draught. When he was asked how he felt about the match, ho announced confidently, “I am going to win,” but he did not win. His hour was yet to come. Genius Be cognised. - , Then, at Scarborough tournament, also pre-war, E. B. Allen was just leaving the court after having beaten R. F. Doherty, and as he made his way to the dressing tent he remarked to the world St large, "That’s the last time I r do that.” And he was right in his Tecognition of Doherty’s genius, a genius, then, of course, in its youth. There

was also the tourn.iin.mt in which Gordon Lowe beat E. It. Allen for the first time. Allen was not convinced by the result, and asked Lowe to play him again. After the tournament the battle was fought over again, and again Lowe won. To look at, Gordon Lowe’s game was anything but convincing, for his forehand was not very swift, Jiut his backhand wqs one of the finest the game has produced. His was a heartbreaking game to play against, for the ball would come back for ever and ever; the winners came from the backhand, and when stamina was called for Lowe could outlast them all.

There was that fine player Zimmerman, a prominent performer before the war. - Zimmerman had an . exuberant disposition, and during a Brighton meeting the committee cautioned him on the subject, as this tournament had a dignified tradition to uphold. Zimmerman promised obedience, but when he had won a mixed double which involved a long and anxious struggle the volatile one was once again overwhelmed by his feelings, and could find no more suitable method of expressing his relief and gratitude for the happy issue

than giving his partner a hearty kiss. It was a fine match to watch, the con. iiiittee was human, Zimmerman’s partner was deemed to be adequate excuse, and no action was taken. Parker’s Peculiar Drive. At Ashby de la Zoueh, again pre-war, L. R. Allen was down to win tho cup for the third time and so make it his own. The lists were dosed, Allen had surveyed the entry list, and a vast smile was upon his round face. Sudden Iv there appeared upon the scene 11. A. Barker, the New Zealand champion, who owned a drive peculiar to himself. He was aide to hit the ball with the reverse side of the racket and, with all his force, investing the ball with inordinate top spin, so that it dipped suddenly and then bounced mightily forward. I’arkc. was ti really difficult

mr.ii to beat. Allen made futile repielimitations on the ground that the entry had been closed, but when a cup is in danger committees often adopt desperate methods, and in due course the two met. Allen led two sets to one, whereupon he (Iranked tho umpire and retired to his tent a winner, he thought. But no; the committee announced that it was the best of live sets, and though Allen protested, he had to fight or to default. He came out again, fought, and was beaten, and so lost his cup. Scarborough, again before the war, with W. C. Grant, the American who was three times indoor champion of America, playing C. 0. Tuckcy, the Charterhouse house master. Grant was a tall man with a most graceful game, and accustomed to finding his powerful hitting yielding aces upon a fast wooden indoor surface. Turkey was a stocky player with no pretence to any style or trace, but with a knack of hitting the bull to the place he intended, and the possessor of a really sound volley. Grant became convinced that Tuckey was much the inferior player, but. the American saw to his astonishment that Itis mighty and graceful strokes were being returned—poked back, lobbed back, but coming back all the same. Patience was never Grant’s long suit, and on this occasion he lost his temper. As Turkey returned a ball Grant jusswiped it out of court at right angles to the net, and thus Turkey boat a champion who ignored the necessity of controlling a poor temperament. * ‘ One-Stroke ’ ’ Smith.

One remembers' those many encoun tors at Liverpool between 8. 11. Smith, tho mighty driver, “One Stroke” Smith,” and Frank Riseley, the dashing volleyer, the giant server, tall, handsome, debonair. When Riseley was in action his pleasant face assumed the lighter’s mask. When Riseley served there was a crack as Smith made the return, a rally would follow, and gradually Riseley would be forced out of court on his backhand. Sooner or later Riseley would move to protect his forehand, but it was a fatal move. There was the same old -shot to the backhand, right in the corner this time, and Riseley was lost. It all looked s o easy, and the crowd would often laugh. It was superb tennis, and Smith’s control of his forehand was as marvellous as his matchless peed.