U.S. TENNIS STARS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 272, 1 November 1932, Page 2

U.S. TENNIS STARS

EXHIBITIONS IN AUCKLAND STRENUOUS TOUR AHEAD MEMBERS STILL BELOW FORM Auckland, Oct. 31. The American lawn tennis team which is to tour Australia and, later on, New Zealand, arrived in Auckland by the Niagara, and its members subsequently played exhibition games at Stanley Street in the presence of a large gathering of spectators. The visiting party comprises Messrs. Wilmer Allison (manager), H. Ellsworth Vines, John van Ryn and Keith Gledhall, and Mesdames Allison. Vines and van Ryn. The Americans were met on board the Niagara and welcomed by Mr G. Gore, president of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, and Mr R. B. Hardy, president of the Auckland association. Directly the vessel berthed shortly after 2 p.m. the visitors were motored to the courts.

“We did not expect to play here, hut when we learned at Suva that the Auckland association was so keen to see us in action we were only too pleased to oblige,” said Mr Allison. “When we left home we thought we wore in for a well-earned rest, as we had had six or seven months of strenuous championship and Davis Cup tennis. However, we gave exhibitions at Honolulu but not at Suva. We have a very hard tour ahead of us in Australia, and it seems to me at present that it will have to be curtailed a little, more especially if we are to tour New Zealand on our way back. VINES DUE BACK. “Vines, our leading player, is due back in America early in March, but if we do not get away from Australia until the middle of February your public may not see much of him. However, nothing definite can be said until I have consulted the Australian authorities. The programme they have mapped out for us includes five test matches apart from championship play, and this looks rather strenuous. I must say that the whole party is very pleased indeed to have an opportunity of coming to New Zealand and Australia.” Speaking of the members of tho team, Mr Allison said that he did not think Vines had yet reached his zenith. He won the world’s championship this year, but as he is only 21 years of age Mr Allison expected him to rise to still greater heights. In such case he would be unconquerable by an.v player at present taking part in the game. Regarding Gledhill, the American manager said that this young player was essentially a doubles exponent. He, too, would improve in the next year or two. Mrs Van Ryn, who had been ranked among the first ten in America for the past four years, would participate in matches in Australia. DAVIS CUP PROSPECTS. Mr Allison is very hopeful regarding the success next year of the Americans in the Davis Cup contest. They went very close to recapturing the trophy this year and he thought that the present team wquld be equal to the task on the next occasion.

In connection with the younger players coming on, Mr Allison said that he had great hopes of Frankie Parker, a lad of 16 years, who was already good enough to be ranked in the first ten in the United States. “He is in the hands of Mercer Beasley, who is regarded as the world’s foremost coach,” said Mr Allison. Vines, Sutter—who will rank third in America this year—and myself have all passed through Beasley’s hands.” The visitors were entertained at an unofficial dinner at the Grand Hotel tq-night and were later the guests of the Auckland Aero Club at a dance at the Mangere aerodrome. To-morrow they will be taken for a drive and will play golf m the afternoon. They will be entertained at dinner by officials of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association in the evening and will sail for Sydney by the Niagara later. EXHIBITION MATCHES. While the crowd was waiting for the Americans to arrive it was entertained to an exhibition game between two Aucklanders. A. C. Stedman and N. G. Sturt They played three sets, Stedman winning 6—3, 6—o, 6—l. Sturt was below form and was unable to hold the former New Zealand champion. The exhibition matches attracted a large crowd. The Americans, although obviously below form after their sea voyage, treated the spectators to some brilliant play. Results were.— Singles.—Van Ryn beat Gledhill, 6—3; Vines and Allison, 7 all. Doubles.— Allison and Van Ryn beat Vines and Gledhill, 7 —5, 6 —2.