LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12401, 24 October 1903, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS.

Should the weather prove at all favourable this afternoon the Eden and Epsom Lawn Tennis Club's lawn will be officially opened for tlio season. Members of other clubs are invited to attend.

The Parnell Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club intends opening for the season on Saturday week (November 7).

The Auckland Lawn Tennis Club announce in our advertising columns to-day that their lawns will be opened for play at half-past two this afternoon. This club has expended a considerable sum in improving their courts, and opens the season under very favourable auspices. The present membership is the largest in the club's history, and the lawns are in perfect order. Given fine weather the opening should be a great success.

Dr. W. V. Eaves, ex-champion of Australia, won the Cinque Ports open championship in Kent (England) at the end of August. In the final he defeated Davissou fairly easily. Mr. Barry R. Keesing, who now occupies the post of hon. secretary to the Hawke's Bay Lawn Tennis Association, sends along a reminder concerning the New Zealand championship meeting, which will this year be held in Napier, commencing on December 26. He informs me that the association there has arrangements already well in hand, and is sparing no pains to make the tournament an unqualified success. Tho foremost exponents of the game in New Zealand are expected to take part, also a team from Australia. Wielders of the racquet can therefore look forward to spending a holiday in Napier, pleasant in every way. Mr. Keesing adds that he will be pleased to give intending competitors and visitors any required information relative to the tournament or accommodation at Napier. The number of courts at Parnell has, by a rearrangement, been increased to five. With the increased convenience of their position owing to the advent of the trams and their general attractiveness, this number ought to prove none too many. Further, the background at the ends of the courts, which was formerly excessive, has been reduced, and fagging* after balls, which used to be a chief element in the game, will now give little trouble. Tho games will consequently be all the more pleasant.

All the old hands at Parnell intend to resume the racquet, save that the Cox brothers, who gave promise of taking a leading place in a season or two, both individually and together, have been separated by one being sent to Wellington. There are already several additions. Newton is resuming the game, and Larner, formerly of North Shore, has transferred his allegiance, while Otto ScherlF, after a retirement of some years, is joining his brother, and with «, little serious practice the two should give an excellent Account of themselves. Ward and Whittaker 'having achieved distinction at the miniature game on the table mean to emulate themselves at the real thing. As the courts are in bettor condition than they have been for years past, an unusually brisk and enjoyable season is anticipated.

The programme for the Now Zealand championship meeting and open tournament, commencing on the Recreation Ground, Napier, on Saturday, December 26, is as under: — Championship Events : Men's Singles, bast of five sets, advantage sets ; Ladies' Singles, best of three sets, advantage sets ; Men's Doubles, best of five sets, advantage sets; Ladies' Doubles, best of three sets, advantage sets; Combined Doubles, best of three sets, advtanagc sets. Handicap Events: Men's Singles, best of 70 points (first and second class); Ladies' Singles, best of 50 points: Men's Doubles, best of 70 points: Ladies' Doubles, best of 50 points; Combined, best of 70 points. In addition to the association cold medals and challenge cups in the Singles Championships, Messrs. Slazengcr and Sons have presented valuable trophies. Seven courts will be used, and entries for the championships must reach the hon. secretary not later than Monday, December 21. Entries for the handicap ©vents fall due on Wednesday. December 16. The West End Tennis Club intends opening its lawns on Saturday, November 7, when an " At Home" will be held, to which members and their friends are invited. This afternoon a working bee will be held, when the committee hopes to see a large muster of gentlemen members. The club is to bo congratulated on securing the services of Messrs. W. A. Brown and R. Angus for secotary and treasurer respectively. Both these gentlemen are great enthusiasts, and worthy successors to the gentlemen who formerly occupied these important positions. The committee has under consideration a scheme for the classification of player*, and the other clubs would do well to follow its example. The standard of play in Auckland is a long way below- championship form, and anything that will lead to improvement will be a stop ja the right direction-