THE DAVIS CUP.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 6 September 1923, Page 4

THE DAVIS CUP.

When, twenty-three years ago, he gave the cup which bears his name, Dwight Davis probably did not have any oonoeption of the intense and world-wide interest that would centre round the competition, a contest as keenly fought as the international yachting supremacy in the America Cup for which Sir Thomas Lipton has striven so valiantly and so often. Each in its own sphere carries the blue riband of the sport, and is the high-water mark of efficiency and ability in that sport. Nor did the donor foresee that before two decades had passed so many nations, seemingly too varied in national characteristics for all of them to concentrate on the game, would enter teams. This in itself is one of the most remarkable features of the Davis Cup competition and marks tennis as actually more world-wide than any other sport. And it is probable that, in common with other sports, tennis, especially that just concluded in America, is playing its part in bringing mankind together on one common plane, and in imbuing with on© common aim-those whose natural tendencies and national characteristics

are as diverse as the poles, thus helping towards that great ideal, the federation of the nations of the world. We may not perhaps realise the extent to which such meetings of sports representatives have an influence upon .the world, but that they have an influence, and that for good, we cannot doubt! This justifies the keen enthusiasm displayed, and places the Davis Cup competitions on a par with the great cricket and football tours undertaken1 between the Old and the New World. | America has again won the cup, and -though 0119 would naturally have pre-' ferred to see victory gained by Aus-' tralia, one feels that the United' States players thoroughly deserved their win. Johnston is probably the most skilful player of tennis iv. the world to-day, and he must be placed in the position which was held by Brookes and Wilding. Of the Australians, Anderson, as anticipated, proved himself the stronger player, and his'defeat of Johnston in the singles was very meritorious, the game resolving itself into a test of endurance. Those who regard tennis as a gentle go-as-you-please game would have their eyes opened if they saw the-speed at which the great international contests are played. No doubt Australia and other parts of the British Empire will renew their endeavours to capture the prize, and it is to be hoped that in the next contest British players may have the honour of defeating their worthy opponents. i