LAWN TENNIS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 20 June 1932, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS

PERRY’S FIRST TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP (From Our Own Correspondent) LONDON, sth May. Although lie ranks as one of the firstfour lawn-tennis players in the world, Fred Perry had not won an open championship until his success now in the English hard court event at Bournemouth. In some of his games on his way to the final he was hard pressed, and there were suspicious signs of staleness in his play. But he is a. great fighter, and his pluck pulled him through more than one anxious situation. In the final he was opposed by G. L. Rogers, a giant Irishman who stands 6ft Bin high. Unfortunately, the' conditions were very bad. The first- set, which Perry lost, was played in rain, and he protested to the referee. The court was in a very slippery state l , and he said: “If the authorities wish me to break my neck, I will go on, but, in view of the Davis' Cun matches, I do not think it worth while.” After this protest the match was.continued, and Perry lost the second set. Before the third was started the umpire advised the players to wait, hut this did not suit Rogers, who put on’ his coat,'and threatened to retire. However, tlie weather turned fine, and the court dried. As lie went to serve, Perry turned to one of the linesmen, and said: “I am sorry; you will be here for another hour-ahd-a-half, as lam going to. win.” Win he did, and he rattled off the next three sets so quickly that the l match was all over in an hour. Every one agreed that Perry was fully justified in protesting against the conditions. The authorities, however, d:d not wish to carry the tournament into a. second week. Owing to the treacherous state of the court, Perry was severely handicapped in exploiting his usual 'aggressive volleying game) Indeed, he was compelled to play'mainly from the base-line, and it was largely on this account that ho lost the first two sets.

As was feared, H. W. Austin is unable to play in the first of the Davis Cup matches, which is against Rumania, and four payers have been chosen. These are Perry, G. P. Hughes, 11. G. N. Lee, and IL F. David. The actual men to take part iii the smglcs and doubles, however, will not be determined until the eve of the match. Perry is, of course, a certainty, and, as last season, ii is orobablc that be will be paired wtli Hughes in the lonbixs. Austin is now recuperating after a second operation to his nose, and it ; s hope 1 that 1 1 will soon be able to Return to the game.