The Davis Cup

Northern Advocate, 6 September 1939, Page 6

The Davis Cup

THESE are difficult days, in which sport must necessarily take a subordinate part. Australia’s pleasure in her Davis Cup team’s brilliant and courageous win will be shared by all British people, and nowhere more than in New Zealand, for the British people, and nowhere more than in New Zealand, for the Australians have played several times in New Zealand and, being neighbours as well as blood relations, we have a close interest in their doings. It is 19 years since America deprived Australia of the Davis Cup at Auckland by five sets to love. New Zealand and Australia were then one in the lawn tennis sense, and New Zealand’s Anthony Wilding had helped to capture the cup in America in 1914, in circumstances curiofisly similar to those prevailing during the recent contest, for the challenge round was played after the outbreak oi; war. Wilding was killed early in the war, a great player and sportsman who met a patriot’s end. To capture the cup after losing the two singles on the opening, day, was a notable and meritorious achievement, especially since the international tension must have made concentration rather difficult. Even now their victory is overshadowed by greater events, and they may leave the historic cup in the U.S.A. so as not to jeopardise its safety at this time. But the honour and glory are theirs. They have raised Australia once again to the pinnacle of world’s champion lawn tennis nation, and all lovers of the game should pay homage to them.