LOSS TO TENNIS.

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7067, 28 January 1933, Page 2

LOSS TO TENNIS.

MISS DAPHNE AKHURST’S DEATH The death of Miss Daphne Akhurst (Mt 3 R. Cozens), while.-under anaesthetic after an operation/ is very sad news indeed for lawn tennis men and women in this country, says the Sydney “Referee.” It will be also painful news for many abroad, whoTo Mrs Cozens, by hex winning and modest personality on and off tho court gained the esteem and the praiso of everyone.

Mrs Cozens was ono of the most popular players who have ever entertained big galleries in Australia. Sho had athletic grace, and a natural court presence of great charm, befitting tho truest sportswoman. Sho played the game in such a manner that one might not know from her demeanour, her features, whether she was winning or losing, though ono knew she was enjoying to the full the trial of skill and athletic powers with her opponent. Mrs Cozens was a member of the Australian women’s team which travelled through Europe and Great Britain four years ago, a team which has been held up by writers in other countries as exemplary in every sense, as players, as winners, as losers, and as sportswomen, who dressed and behaved in perfect taste on the courts. That team had a number of national victories, including those against England and France.

In 1929 she was Australian singles champion, and with Miss L. Bickerton ladies’ doubles champion of Australia. In addition she won tho mixed doubles championship, completing a “treble.” Mrs. Cozens was singles champion of Australia in 1925, 1926, 1928, 1929, and 1930. She was in three semi-finals and one final at Wimbledon, and won tho German singles and doubles in 1928, the Irish mixed doubles in 1925, tho New South Wales doubles in 1930, and the Australian doubles and New South Wales doubles in 1931. In the Test match against England in 1928 she won both her singles, defeating Miss Bennett and Mrs Watson. Mrs Cozens visited New Zealand some years ago, being a member of tho team which played exhibition matches on the Wellington Club’s courts.