Brugnon Is A Much Better Player In Doubles Than In Singles

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6841, 23 April 1932, Page 13

Brugnon Is A Much Better Player In Doubles Than In Singles

aI.MOST all tennis followers in the world have beard of Lacoste, Cocliet and Borotrn. But a great many of them have little or no interest in Jacques Brugnon. They sometimes refer to him as one of the “Four French Musketeers,” but aside from that neither his personality nor his game lives for them, writes Helen Jacobs, noted American woman tennis player, in a San Francisco paper. Unfortunately, Brugnon has not a very colourful personality, but he is one of the most charming of the French players. lie is forever seen with bis blue beret and pipe; they have come to be associated with him, just as the Basque beret is associated with Borotra. ■ Whenever the team of Cocliet and Brugnon was successful in doubles play, the credit for the victory was almost invariably given to Cochct. I suppose it is natural to feci that the champion singles player of France should also be the best doubles player, especially when his net game is so remarkable, and his tactics so daring as those of Cocliet. But, however true this may be, there have been times when Brugnon, in his quiet way, has saved France’s team from defeat. With his extraordinary service that bounces so high, even on grass, and his reliable return of service, he is able to put his opponents in many an awkward position, Brugnon is not a great singles player. There is only one reason for this, and it is his mental reaction to ibis part of the game. He has tremendous self-confidence in a doubles, probably because he lias won so many matches, and lias been so long regarded as one of the best doubles players in France. . Rut in a singles lie seems to lack this confidence. None but the best can defeat him, as a rule, although he seldom goes as far as the semi-final in anv of the major tournaments. Brucnon’s strokes are hit with considerable oversoin. His one great weakness of stroke is the smash. Partly because of his grip he seems to be more awkward on this shot than on any

other of his great variety. Whenever the American doubles teams play against him, they always attempt to lob consistently to him, because he will usually crack if the opponents arc patient. Like so many tennis players, whose court personalities are colourless or uninteresting, Brugnon is one of the most likeable of them all. He has a very keen and amusing sense of humour, and a sane, interesting philosophy about the game lie plays. Like all good companions,. Brugnou . » has an evenness of disposition and a geniality that is both quieting and pleasing. It is no wonder his teammates refer to “Toto” as the most popular of the French Davis cup teammates.