DAVIS CUP COURT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17659, 21 December 1920, Page 6

DAVIS CUP COURT.

NOW USED FOR PRACTICE.

AUSTRALIANS DELIGHTED.

THE VISIT TO ROTOEUA.

The Davis Cup lawn tennis court in the Domain was played on yesterday for the first time. Mr. N. E. Brookes and Mr. G. L. Patterson, of the Australasian team, played four sets on the court early in the afternoon, and expressed themselves as greatly pleased with its condition. "It is a beautiful court." said Mr. Brookes, "and it is a treat to play upoti it." Mr. Patterson was equally enthusiastic, and eaid he thought it was the best court he had ever played on. " We cannot make the court an excuse if we do not win," he added laughingly.

Mr. W. T. Tilden, the only member of the American team who did not go to Rotorua, was present when Messrs. Brookes and Patterson were practising, but he himself did not play until later in the afternoon, when he practised on the Parnell club's courts with his captain, Mr. S. Hardy. Mr. Hardy had just returned from P.otorua, and he and the others who made the journey were pleased to have the opportunity cf a practice. Mr. W. M. Johnston, America, played a single with Mr. R. W. Heath, Australasia, and Mr. W. Washburn, America, practiced with Mr. F. O'Hara Wood, Australasia. Some very good games were witnessed, and occasionally there were some brilliant shots.

The Australasian team will practice on the Davis Cup court this morning, and the American team this afternoon. The public will not be admitted to these matches, but they will have the oppor tunity of seeing the Australasian team in action on the Parnell club's courte in the afternoon.

One of the features of the practice play in Auckland has been the splendid iorm shown by Mr. Brookes. Owing principally to indifferent health, Mr. Brookes has not been able to do justice to himself in singles matches in Australia, and in the Davis Cup contest in Sydney last January he played only in the doubles. Just before coming to Auckland he competed in the Victorian singles championship, but he was suffering from ptomaine poisoning and was, therefore, not in good form. Since he has been in Auckland, however. Mr. Brookes has improved wonderfully in health, and one had only to see him practising with Mr. Patterson yesterday to realise that he is extremely fit and playing a splendid game. It seems likely that if his health continues to be satisfactory Mr. Brookes will enter the lists against the Americans in the singles, as well as the doubles.

The members of the teams who visited Rotjrua were delighted with the trip. On arrival at Botorua on Saturday afternoon they were welcomed by the resident officer, Mr. W. Hill, and in the evening they were entertained at a Maori gathering at Whakarewarewa. On Sunday morning they were taken for th& " round trip," and were accompanied by Mr. A. Warbrick, who recited the history of the notable places visited. They made a tour of Whakarewarewa in the afternoon. The teams were accompanied by Mr. F. J. Ohlson, president of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association, Messrs. H. R. Cooke, A. A. Martin, and L. A. Longuet, vicepresidents, and Mr. H. G. Thomson,'secretary. The sale of tickets for seats on the eastern stand at the Davis Cup court will be commenced to-day. The number of tickets to be sold for this stand is limited to 2000. There are still 1000 seats on the northern, southern, and western stands that may be reserved. Messrs. Brookes and Patterson both congratulated Mr. George Scarborough, who laid down the Davis Cup court, on the success of his work.