LAWN TENNIS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 245, 13 September 1933, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS

BRILLIANT AUSTRALIAN. CAREER OF J. B. CRAWFORD. Though he failed against F. J. Perry, the Englishman, in the United States singles championship, the Australian, J. B. Crawford, has a splendid record this season as the “All England” singles champion, virtually the world title; the French singles champion, and the Australian singles chainpion. He has once again placed Australia on the tennis map, and his victory seems to presage Australia s suecess in the Davis Cup in the neai future. „ TT , r Crawford (writes Dr. G. H. McElmone) was born on March 22, 1908, at Albury. He commenced playing tennis at the age of six years. During his sojourn in the Riverina district lie played Australian rules football in the inter-schools competition. also played cricket occasionally. Tennis, however, was his choice, and early in life ho showed a marked aptitude for the game. His first success was achieved when lie was 14. He won a mixed doubles handicap at Canterbury on hard courts. His partner on that occasion was Miss Lucas. The following year lie won the three major titles in the Drummoyne tournament. Shortly after this he transferred his activities to the grass courts, and his first success was in the 1924-1925 County of Cumberland championships, when he won the singles handicap, beating E. A. Gosper in the final, and he was run-ner-up to D. Bullough in the final of the special singles. Crawford was one of the four selected Linton Cup players in 1925; but he did not take part in tire matches. To show the rapid and remarkable improvement in his game, he was the runner-up to Gerald Patterson in the Victorian singles championship in 1926, and he won the doubles championship with J. Willard, beating G. L. natterson and J. B. Hawkes in the final. EARLY PROMISE.

Crawford won the junior doubles championship of Australia, and the junior singles championship of New South Wales in 1925. It was obvious that Crawford had in him the attributes essential for championship class. It was simply a question of development. He won the special singles in the metropolitan championship at Stratlifield in October, 1925. Ho was selected to practise for the team to meet Queensland towards the close of the year; but, owing to his work, he was unable to practise until the final day, and he did not gain a place. He also won the special singles in the 1925-1926 County of Cumberland championships, beating W. F. Medcalf in the final.

Crawford won a place in the Linton Cup team in 1926, and his progress became rapid. He and Harry Hopman won the doubles championship of New South Wales that year, and he played his first interstate match against Victoria in November. The following year he won the singles championship, beating R. E. Schlesinger in the final, after the latter apparently had the match in his grip. This victory was the more meritorious, as Schlesinger had defeated him twice previously —in the final of the County of Cumberland singles in January, 1927, and the final of the Lawn Tennis Ground championships in March. MATCH WITH BOROTRA.

The next year, 1928, was to be a memorable one in Australian tennis, and in Crawford’s career. Who tha.t saw it will ever forget his wonderful match with Jean Borotra in the semifinal round of the Australian singles championship? Here was a lad of nineteen matching his skill against one of the world’s foremost players. At one time it seemed that he would win. Borotra’s experience saved the day, and he won in the fifth set after a glorious exhibition. A week later he defeated Borotra in Melbourne, and he repeated the performance in Adelaide.

It would require too much space to trace his later successes in detail. His great ability and latent possibilities were recognised in 1928, and he went abroad with the Davis Cup team, which was defeated by Italy in the first round. Crawford went abroad with a Davis Cup team for the second time in 1930. The members of the team on this occasion met with greater success until opposed to Italy at Milan in the fourth round, when they were beaten by three rubbers to two under trying conditions. Crawford defeated G. de Stefani, but he lost to H. L. de Morpurgo.They defeated Switzerland in the first round, Ireland in the second and Great Britain in the third. Crawford and Moon reached the semifinal round of the French doubles championship, losing to H. Cochet and J. Brugnon, the ultimate winners, 6 —3 in the fifth set. Crawford was unaccountably defeated by David in the third round at Wimbledon. He and Moon reached the third round of the doubles, to be beaten by Borotra and Brugnon 6 —4 in the fifth set. He won the mixed doubles championship with Miss Elizabeth Ryan. Crawford won the Australian title for the first time in 1931, a feat he also accomplished in 1932 and 1933. In 1932 the Australian Davis Cup team defeated Cuba, but were defeated by the United States at Philadelphia. Crawford was beaten by Vines bv three sets to one and by F. X. Shields by three sets to two. Then came London and the Queen’s Club tournament. Crawford won the singles, and the doubles with H. Hopman. That year he reached the semi-final round at Wimbledon, losing to Vines in straight sets. His subsequent displays did not reveal this same high standard. Before his departure in 1932 Crawford had shown his superiority over the visiting Japanese players.

VALUE OE TOURS. The one good accruing from Australia’s participation in the American zone in 1932 was the visit of the United States team towards the close of that year. Crawford had two victories against Vines. He beat him in the final of the Victorian singles championship, and in the final test match in Sydney. There is no doubt that ho owed much to the visit of the Japanese. He acquired even greater knowledge, and wonderful confidence from his matches against Vines and Allison. His record of winning three National titles in the one year is remarkable. He now holds the Australian, French, and English championships.