LAWN TENNIS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19060, 3 July 1925, Page 6

LAWN TENNIS NOTES.

AUCKLAND ASSOCIATION. BUSINESS BEFORE DELEGATES. The annual meeting of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association was held this week, Mr. G. L. Taylor presiding over a good attendance of delegates. Considerable discussion ensued regarding the finances of the association, and the necessity for increasing its. revenue in order to make provision for the repayment of debentures. A sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. Griffiths, Taylor, Thomson, Bartleet, Ohlson and Hickson, was appointed to consider the matter and report to the next meeting of delegates. Notification was received from the Whangarei and surrounding clubs of their intention to apply for separate affiliation with the Now Zealand Association as the North Auckland Association In view of the approaching visit of the American Fleet a sub-committee consisting of Messrs. Griffiths, Thomson, Morrin and Macfarlane was set up to make arrangements to provide, tennis for the officers of the fleet. A letter was received from the Edendale Club asking for provision to be made for the affiliation of a number of small clubs of insufficient strength to compete in the inter-club contests. It was decided to affiliate these junior clubs as a sub-association, enabling them to organise their own inter-club contests. There was a good representation present from country clubs adjacent to Auckland, and in response to an appeal from | them for organised fixtures with city clubs, it was decided to call for applications from country clubs with a view to arranging visits by junior club teams during next season. The following officers were elected for the ensuing season:—Patron, the Gover-nor-General, Sit Charles Fergusson; president, Mr. E. ,W. Griffiths; vice-presidents, Messrs. A. Goldie, E. Hickson, W. A. Home, F. J. Ohlson, G. L. Taylor and 11. G. Thomson; secretary and treasurer, Mr,,M. E. Ward; hon. auditor, Mr. W. N. Burton; delegates to New Zealand Association, Messrs. S. A. Loriguet and F. White Parsons; hon. ground superintendent, Mr. E. Hickson; courts committee, Messrs. Taylor, Home, Bartleet, Thomson, Russell and A. C. Johns; interclub committee, Messrs. Turner, Ellis, Goldie, Morriii' and Home; selection committee, Messrs. Bartleet, Thomson and Goldie, The Wimbledon Tourney. The All-England Championships now being held at Wimbledon recall memories of some of the. titanic struggles that have taken place there, for Wimbledon has been tho mecca of tennis players Sinco the days of the Renshaws and tho j Dohertys, and others whoso names are ; still familiar to followers of the game. ; Most of tho giants of former days have 1 competed at Wimbledon, and in the seven years since the war there have been fivo holders of the title in the men's singles, G. L. Patterson (twice), W. T. Tilden (twice), W- M. Johnston and J. Borotra. America, Australia and France have supElied the winners, but England herself as been unable to find a player of sufficient strength to take the title for the Motherland. In 1919 Patterson, who was then at his zenith, beat Brookes in the challenge round—nothing could touch him that year. In 1920 Tilden paid his first visit to Wimbledon and won his way through to the challenge round to meet Patterson, who was short of practice, for at that time the holder did not play through, 1 but defended his title in the challenge round only. Patterson annexed the first set and then collapsed before the player who has since reigned supremo iti the tennis world. A Sensational Match. There was a great contest the following year. In tho eliminating rounds, Alonzo, tho favourite, was beaten by Norton, of South Africa, who had defeated Shimizu, the Japanese, then at tho top of his form. Tilden defended his title in defiance of his doctor's orders, for he was a sick man. The challenge match was a sensational one, for Tilden lost the first two sets, won the third, and, by the narrowest of margins, won the fourth and fifth. On returning vto the dressing room ho fainted. In 1922 Australia had its two representatives, Patterson and Anderson, while America was practically unrepresented, and France was then weak in men players. The final was played on a damp court. Anderson led at one stage two sets to one, but Patterson finally triumphed. The next year America supplied a strong team, consisting of Johnston, Hunter and Vincent Richards. The last-mentioned was making his first appearance at Wimbledon. Theso three practically provided the contest" and although Johnston defeated Hunter in the final, the most brilliant match was that between Johnston and Richards. French Player's Victory. Last year Franco's representatives, the brilliant volleyer, Borotra, and the steady La Coste, figured in tho final, victory going to tho former. . . . This year there remain m tho semifinals the three Frenchmen, Borotra, Lacoste and Cochet, and Britain's only hope, J 0. Anderson, the Australian. > Lacoste, who has evidently since last year's meeting, when he was beaien bv Borotra, is the best of the Irenchmen, and ho or Anderson should provide the winner. - 1 . „ The Australian's performances m England have not been reassuring. Possibly tho softer courts are affecting his play, i and the issue when Lacosto and Anderson meet is very open. It should be a great match, with steadiness on one Side and brilliancy on the other.