LAWN TENNIS NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19126, 18 September 1925, Page 6

LAWN TENNIS NOTES.

THE DAVIS CUP CONTEST. THE FRENCHMEN'S DISPLAY. EARLY MATCHES RECALLED. Although the result of the Davis Cup challenge tie was as anticipated, the match was interesting. The French players, Borotra and Lacoste, were responsible lor a very praiseworthy performance in making snch a stand against tho Americans. It is unfortunate that France had not a full team of four players, for, after the great straggle Borotra had with Tilden in the first singles match he would be at- a great disadvantage when pitted against two fresh champions in Williams and Richards in tho doubles, and the result of this match cannot be taken as an indication of the relative strength of the contestants. i Tho singles between Borotra and Tilden will surely go down in tennis history as one of the greatest struggles in tho fight for the cup. There is a marked contrast in tho manner in which Johnston and Tilden usually win their matches. The former, in his basiness-like methods, generally wins in three sets and with the loss of a few games only in each 9 set. Tilden, on the other hand, has had many hard struggles, but is always the winner of the last set. He is a great example of the psychology of the gamo and always seems to have that little bit left necessary to win the deciding set. It will be interesting if Tilden and Johnston again meet in the final of tho national singles, now being played in America. On recent performances it would seem that Johnston is playing the better tennis, but Tilden appears to know Johnston's gamo too thoroughly - to let him win.

What wonderful athletic contests the Davis Cup has produced! Dwight F. Davis, the donor, is stated to have remarked in recent years that, had he known of tho world-wide fame to be achieved he would at the outset have donated a trophy more worthy of the great event the Davis Cup contest has become. A brief history of tho competition is interesting. The initial contest in 1900 was between America and England and the first ball served was by Dwight Davis. It was in this match that what is known as the American service was first introduced, and it is recorded that one of tho Englishmen failed to even touch 30 of the services sent down. In 1903 the cup was brought to England for the first time by the Doherty brothers, and in 1907 Australia and New Zealand, represented by Norman Brookes and the late Anthony Wilding, made history which has kept Australia prominently in tho tennis world. The cup was successfully defended in 1908, 1909 and 1911, there being no contest in 1910. In 1912 Australia and New Zealand lost tho trophy, but regained it in 1914.

A year after the war Australia met the British Isles in the challenge round, and was again successful Then came the contest that was so full of interest to Aucklandera, for the 1920 challenge match, in which the Americans Tilden and Johnston were successful was played on the Auckland Domain. Since then America has not been seriously menaced and today remains tho acknowledged champion nation of the world. While sufh men as Tilden, Johnston, Richards and "Williams are available, there is little chance of the cup leaving America.

LOWER WAIKATO CLUBS. [BY TELEGBAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] PUKEKOHE, Thursday. The tennis clubs in the Lower Waikato are now_arranguig for their official opening .The, Pokono Club has already officially started the season. Mr. P. Kitchen the president, in declaring the courts open! complimented the members on their enthusiasm. v' - A Franklin Association has been formed and some inter-club championship matches are anticipated.