MCGRATH’S VIEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 243, 11 September 1935, Page 14

MCGRATH’S VIEWS.

TENNIS PLAYERS ABROAD. FAILURE AGAINST GERMANY. Vivian McGrath, the Australian Davis Cup player, had many interesting things to say about tennis abroad when he returned to Sydney recently. Among them was that Australia’s failure against Germany in the Davis Cup tie in Berlin was due mostly to hack of practice in that city; that von Cramm’s service was better than any other European player's; and that Donald Budge, the American, would develop into a' splendid player. Referring to the tie against Gei many, McGrath said:,“We arrived in Germany from Paris on the Wednesday before the match —play was to commence on Friday'—but it rained, and we were thus prevented from practising on the centre court that day. 1 his was the one used lor the Davis Cup tie. These courts are slower than the courts at Autueil, Paris, and we only had two and a half hours’ practice on the centre court bciorc the match. This was a handicap; but our team’s play, on the whole, was disappointing, whereas the Germans gave of their best. 1 had been playing, exceedingly well at practice; unfortunately I failed to disclose the same standard in my Davis Cup matches against both France and Germany. Ueedless to say, the members of the team were very disappointed with the result.” Speaking ot Budge, McGrath said: “He reminds one very much of Vines in his stylo and court mannerisms, and his great asset is his flat backhand with its low trajectory, speed and placement. His service is very good and, in addition, he has command of the ‘cannon ball’ service, though he uses it sparingly. His forehand, though wot as strong as his backhand, is very good, as is his smashing. His volleying, too, is sound.” McGrath said that Gene Mako, who paired with Budge in doubles, was brilliant, but was inclined to l>e erratic. He thought Budge would prove to be a better player than Mako. McGrath was greatly impressed with Von Cramm. He said that Von Gramm had improved in the last 12 months, and his service was the best in Europe. He considered his ground strokes were very strong and that overhead lie was good, though not as sound as Perry in this department. He was also a capable vofleyer. . Discussing the 1936 Davis Cup contests, McGrath said: “Should Australia challenge, 1 think the challenge should be made in the American zone to save excessive travelling. Finance should not be considered, as we will show a good surplus this year and, in addition, there is a fair amount staiuiing to the credit of the Davis Cup fund.”