DAVIS CUP CHALLENGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17651, 11 December 1920, Page 10

DAVIS CUP CHALLENGE.

PLAYERS' PREPARATIONS. CLOSE ATTENTION TO PLAY. NO DISTRACTION PERMITTED. The unpleasant weather conditions which prevailed yesterday did not prevent the teams that are to contest the challenge round for the Davis Cup from practising. The Australasian representatives played at the Remuera courts. The Americans were to have spent the afternoon at. the Parnell Club's courts. Owing to the rain, they did not commence until late in the afternoon, but in the end got in some useful practice. The American team will practise at Onehunga this afternoon, and the Australasian representatives at Eden and EpsomStarting ,from this afternoon, the public will be required to pay for admission, to the courts where either team is playing. The demonstration which the American players are to give on Tuesday afternoon at Eden and Epsom for the benefit of the pupils at the secondary schools will not be open to the general public. The only adults admitted will be the teachers >in charge of the pupils from the various schools.

Both sets of players are devoting close attention to practice at the present time. A desire has been shown by a number of Auckland people to »tier them hospitality. The players are showing no disposition to permit social engagements to interfere with their preparations for the match. They are refusing invitations frequently and firmly. The stands that are being erected in connection with the Davis Cup tennis court on the Domain, will be finished today and all that remains to be done is the completion of the committee room and the erection of a reception room. As it is only ten weeks since the first load of timber was carted on to ,the ground, the builders have carried out their work in a most expeditious manner. The stands contain eighteen tiers of seats and each seat is numbered, so that there can be no misapprehension. There are six entrances and these should give the public ample facilities for reaching their seats. The lawn is in excellent order and by Christmas time should leave little to be desired.