LAWN TENNIS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 16 January 1928, Page 2

LAWN TENNIS

THE FRENCH TOURISTS ARRIVAL IN' WELLINGTON (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, This Day The three French tennis players, Jean Borotra, Jaques Brugnon, and Christian Boussiis, arrived from San Francisco by the Makura this morning. Borotra in an. interview, said that he was very pleased to have the opportunity of visiting New Zealand as this country had produced Anthony Wilding, whom he considered the greatest playei that had ever existed, with _ Norman Brookes a good second. Referring ten the Davis Cup, Borotra said that they had been a trifle lucky to win, because while they themselves had been at the top of their form,' Johnston of the American team was off his game. Laccptb and Cochet the singles players, played wonderful tennis, throughout the tournament. All he arid-Brugnon had done''was to lose a point to the Americans Referring'to the French style cf game that had come into prominence, Borotra said that they were "primarily volleyers, whereas in America the player, like Johhston,' a'hd Tildep, kept to the .baseline. Frenchmen speedel the game up bv taking the ball before it bounce'). It was this new type of'play that was mainly responsible for their success in the tennis cup,. The Frenchmen .are- en route to Australia where they play a' scries of matches from 25th January to 3rd March, afterwards going ; to South Africa. ,

Tn Wellington on Wednesday and Thursday they play exhibition games against Ollivier and Bartleet in the singles, and Knott and. Sturt in the doubles. The youthful players Boussus'and Malfrov meet on Thursday. The Mayor accorded a civic reception, to the Frenchmen. The Hon.. F.' J.' Rollestcn represented the Government. M. Borotra replied.