LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14947, 21 March 1912, Page 9

LAWN TENNIS.

THE AMERICANS' RETURN. [i'BOli OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Sax Francisco, February 19. It was a sad and subdued team of lawn tennis players that landed in San Francisco last week after the trip to New Zealand in tho unsuccessful attempt to wrest from the Australasian players the Davis cup, symbol of tho tennis championship of tlio world. W. A. Earned, tho captain of the team, of whom such groat things were expected, when ho was prevailed upon to make the long journey, refused to make any comment upon tho complete Australasian victory. He had no excuses to moke; no explanations to offer. Beals C. Wright and Maurico McLoughlin, his team mates, also showed a marked disinclination to discuss their unsuccessful mission, although McLoughlin was a littlo'moro communicative. Tho lastmentioned stated that Earned was handicapped by rheumatism, occasioned by rainy weather in New Zealand. Ho still considers Lamed, when right, tho best tennis player in tho world, and said that hit. poor showing in the Davis cup contests was entirely duo to the adverse weather conditions. McLoughlin considers Brookes, the Australasian champion, the next 'beet player in the world to Earned, and was well pleased at having been able to press him so closely. In admiration of the Australasian players, and in praise of tho treatment accorded them, both in Melbourne and in Christchurch, the American players were unanimous and hearty. Neither Earned nor his team mates see any reason to fall in with the British pro-, posal to do away with these Davis cup contests, and to institute an international contest, with the meeting place in Europe or America. They believe that the cup should bo first regained' from Australasia; and, of course, aro of the opinion that America will ultimately win it back. Earned would not say whether or not ho will defend his title of American champion next, season. During his absence the United States National Lawn Tennis Association has changed its rules by deciding that henceforth the champion must play through the tournment instead of simnlv meeting the tourney winner in a challenge match. Larnod had previously declared his intention of retiring from active tennis.