LAWN TENNIS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 16 December 1937, Page 10

LAWN TENNIS

MASTER. OF RANKING (By Air Mail— From Our Own Correspondent.! I LONDON, Ililli November. I II has always bec'ii doubtful whether jl.lic ollici.'il ranking of lawn tennis playlet's is wise, or is indeed of any value, j As an order of merit for the year, it is I supposed to inspire and encourage both i men and women. J do not know whether this is the effect, hut 1 know that jit. causes disappointment and heartI burning and even jealousy. The lists I cannot be compiled on actual facts. Personal opinion must play a considerlable part in the placing of tlie players, and it is rare that the strongest cases cannot be made out to prove why certain players should have been included and why others should have been omitted. It must, too, be exceedingly difficult to decide whether a competitor should be eighth or ninth. In both sections it is easy enough to settle who should be No. 1. 11. W. Austin has no rival among the men, and Mrs Little (Miss Dorothy Hound ) is entitled to rank above all her sister players by reason of her triumph at Wimbledon. It is, however, pointed out, even in her case, that she was several times beaten during the season. Then, in the men’s section, come the Davis Cup players. C. E. Hare and C. R. D. Tuckcy. They may go unchallenged. Fourth on the list is 11. G. N. Lee. “How can this be justified, when he has almost retired from first-class tournament play?” it is asked. I have no doubt that the authorities have a reason for putting him in this position, but it is not an obvious one. and their decision has been severely criticised. On the women’s side Miss Hary Hardwick has been reckoned second to Mrs

Little. She may merit the distinction by her style, but not by her successes. She has not yet developed the matchr winning temperament. More notable in this way have been Miss Scriven and | Miss Heetey, and they have fully justified their promotion. Miss Scriven, as compared with a year ago, has gone up from ninth to third, and Miss Heeley 'from tenth to fifth. Miss Kay Stammers, on the other hand, has gone down to fourth, and her record was so disappointing that it was probably only because her powers are so definite that she was placed so high.