NEW TENNIS STAR

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 159, 8 July 1938, Page 11

NEW TENNIS STAR

YVON PETRA, OF BRITTANY 21-YEAR-OLD WONDER. A new character, the best entertainer since Borotra, has appeared in big tennis. He is Yvon Petra, 21 years old, 6ft. sin. in height. He comes from the coast of Brittany, and when he appears in court, complete with linen cap, enormous peak set at a rakish angle, a bundle of racquets, two pairs of shoes and a huge scarf, he looks as if he had just come ashore from some pirate lugger bent on mischief and fun. He had frightened and walloped everybody out of his way during the hard courts championships at Bournemouth last April until he faced Bunny Austin to fight for a place in the final. During the five-set semi-final struggle, which eventually went to Austin, he:— Kickec a shoe tc pieces. Stopped to fire an imaginary gun shot this racquet pointed the wrong way) at an umpire who had footfaulted him. Chased a ball after he had missed it, talking to it all the while, and making grimaces it it. Skied a spare ball in sheer exuberance of spirit higher than anyone has ever been known to hit one before. Kissed his racquet when Bunny had failed to return a shot from it. And finally, when he had lost, after racing to the net to congratulate Bunny, he ran comically behind the umpire’s chair and bound his eyes with his scarf to shut out the horrible scene of his defeat. A sporting giant, humorist, and everybody loved him. He has a terrific service, wizardy at the net, and took Bunny to 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 5-7, 6-4.