LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17662, 24 December 1920, Page 8

LAWN TENNIS.

NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIP. Tennis enthusiasts are showing a keenness this season which is undoubtedly duo to the fact that tho great Davis Gup match ia to bo played in our city this Christmas. All the local clubß aro full to overflowing with members and on top of this auit® a left of visitors are practising on the local courts to get* into form for the New Zealand championship meeting. Never before has the New Zealand Association received such large entries for its championship matches; in fact, it is Questionable whether tho tournament can be put through in the four days allotted. The Davis Cup playeirs have entered so that there will be a unique oppor- ; tunitv of witnessing isome first-class tennis. The finals of the New Zealand championship matches will bo played on the Dayi3 Cup court. Large entries have been received for the junior championship, and it is just possible that all junior matches will have to be played on one of the other club court."* as the Eden and Epsom courts will be fully occupied with tho senior toumanien.. The Parnell courts are apparently m gocQ condition this se>ason for the Davis Cup players seem to prefer them for practice. Quito a number of visitors have alroady Atmved to witness the Davis Cup and juso play in tho Now Zealand tournament. They include Messrs. Dickie and Wallace, Waverley, the ex-New Zealand champions. MIS 3 A. Brewster and D. Simpson, New Plymouth, Mr. J. C- Peacock. Wellington. and P- Winding. Christchurch. . _ , It looked as though the New South Wales mpn'A team would be unable to get across to play the proposed match against a New Zealand team, orans "to the Niagara, being held up in Sydney, but advice has been received that tho team _ is coming by the Manuka, which will arrive at Wellington on Monday, so that it should reach Auckland on Tuesday morning. If the New Zealand team can strike form, they should give their opponents a good game. Teams, which in tne past have £on© from lS;ew Zealand to Australia-, have always given a good account of themselves, and there is every possibility of our present representor tives putting up a good fight against New South Wales next week. OUivier, tho New Zealand champion, will undoubtedly be on the Manuka, so i'nat our team will at any rate, have the advantage of our best player. Dickie and Wallace are getting back to their old form, and by the way Wallaco is playing, ho should stand a good chance of being included in the team. Salmond, of Wellington, i 3 playing splendidly at present and his backhand drives ane a treat to watch. , , , j K. Archer, the ex-secretary of the Auckland Tennis Association, is at present in Auckland, and will_ be staying until the conclusion of the New Zealand championships. Quite ft large number of Auckland plf-yers have entered for the New Zealand championship matches. Some of the doubles pairß are—Men: Robson and Page, Bartleet and Webster, Dr. Laurenson and Griffiths, Moir and Williams; Ladies; Mrs. Hodges and Miss Macfarlane, and Mrs. Marshall and Miss Paton. The Eden and Epsom courts, although a little worn on the back lines, which is usual with all Auckland courts at this time of the year, are playing exceptionally well and should prove very fast and accurate. Competitors will require all the practice they can get on fast court's so as to be more accustomed to the Eden and Epsom courts during the championship matches.