LAWN TENNIS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 27 January 1936, Page 6

LAWN TENNIS

NELSON ASSOCIATION MATCH WITH CANTERBURY TEAM VISIT OF H. COCIIET (FRANCE) And PROFESSIONALS On Saturday, Ist February, a team of men and women players from Christchurch will play matches against a Nelson provincial team. It is several years since a team from a major 2>rovince visited Nelson and it will be very interesting to see how the local players compare with the more experienced players from the large centre. Christchurch tennis at present is of a very high standard and the players coining will no doubt be well worth watching. The personnel of the .Canterbury and Nelson teams will be announced later in the week.

The 2nd March will he a ‘‘red letter” day for Nelson tennis, when 11. Cocliet (France) and three Australian professionals will play exhibition matches. Cocliet is probably the most remarkable tennis star for a great period .of years, aiul his titanic matches with the famous Bill Tilden have become a byword in tennis history. He first came to notice in winning the Military Championship in France in 1921. In 1922 lie won the Covered Courts title of France and the world. In the same year and in the ten following, he represented France in the Davis Cup, captaining the team from 1927 to 1932, when France neld the Cup for six years. In 1920 and. 1928 with Brugnon lie won the Wimbledon doubles title, in 1927 and 1929 the singles title and in (928 lie Was defeated in the final. In 1920 and 1932 he won the French Championship and also in 192(5 he de l feated Tilden in the fourth round of the American singles, in five sets. His record for 10 years first class tennis is one of remarkable achievements. He is now 34 years of age. J. Willard, Australian professional champion, who will make the visit, represented New South Wales against the British touring team in 1928. He ranked fourth for Australia in 1929. In 1930 lie toured Europe and America and was manager of the Australian Davis Clip team. He represented Australia against Switzerland and Ireland also against England at Bournemouth. He won tile German doubles title with Hopman at Hamburg. In 1931 he won the New South Wales mixed doubles championship. R. 0. Cutnmiiigs, Queensland , champion iii 1920, is also a member of the team. He reached the final of the Australian Championship in 1928 and won the New South Wales title in 1930. In 1928 lie visited Europe aiid America and with Moon (who played in fhe New Zealand Chanijpionshi'p this year) won the German doubles title.

Baker, the fourth member of the team is not so well known and no information as yet is to hand of his record. However lie must be a first class player to lie in such company. To both these matches the public and tennis players and enthusiasts are cordially invited.