TENNIS AT WIMBLEDON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20303, 10 July 1929, Page 15

TENNIS AT WIMBLEDON.

SUPERIORITY OF FRENCH.

AUSTIN'S IMPROVED FORM

DAVIS CUP CHALLENGE ROUND

HY SIDELINE. Much history has already hern written, early as is the big lawn tennis tournament season, hearing on the matter of supremo honours in 1929 To France has fallen the two great, successes so far—the win of the national title hy Lacoste and Ihe win of the English title at Wimbledon by Coehet. For the sixth year a. French player has won at Wimbledon, which is without doubt the most important championship in the world at the present time.

This year the international aspect of the meeting was well maintained, although there were no Australian representatives. What are the impressions left after the tournament? Perhaps the strongest and most abiding is the improved showing ol the English players. It can now be said with certainty that England has made an appreciable advance along I lie difficult and tortuous road to national recovery. This will bo understood when it is realised that from 1919 to 1921, each year lln re English players reached the iinal eight.

In 192- live competed, t(> 1923 four look part, in 1924 one represented England, in 1925 and 1920 there were two each year, ana in 1927 and 1928 no English player entered the final rounds. The line showing, therefore, of Austin, Gregory and Kingsley in tho singles, and of Gregory and Collins in the doubles, is the more pleasing and may well prove the stimulant to still greater surcesscs. Triumph ior France.

The singles championship was certainly a great triumph lor France, ana the margin of superiority of her playeis over the Americans seems to have increased, at least so fur ;is singles are concerned. The unexpected (lid not happen in the ladies' singles, as Miss Helen Wills turned out to be the certainty she was generally assumed,- and won the title without the loss of a set for the second time in

succession. With Wimbledon over, one turns to the future —that immediate future of interesting possibilities, with the decision of the challenge round of the Davis Cup in Paris. Uothing hap]x;ned at Wimbledon to alter one's conviction that it is odds on France retaining the trophy whicti it won in 1927 and so brilliantly defended last year. France appears'to be stronger than ever in singles, and in doubles there is always the possibility of Borotra and C'ochet pairing together, and so upsetting calculations, as they did last year. Additional interest will be taken by reason of the improved form being shown by the English players who have now reached tho final of the European zone, and meet either Germany or Czechoslovakia. A victory may weli be secured here, and it does not seem too much to hope America will be closely pressed in the inter-zone final. Interest in Davis Cup.

In view of the results at St. Cloud and Wimbledon the selection of the United States Davis Cup team will be invested with considerable interest. Judging from results, it looks as if, even with Tilden in, the United Stales team will have little chance against France, presuming a win is recorded in the inter-zone ltnai. Will the selectors under the circumstances concentrate on giving experience to their younger players, Lott, Hennessey, Alison and Van Ryn. This policy was carried out by France for several years, even w hen there was no chance of success, and when possibly older players, would have defeated those who were selected rather with an eye to the future. The success of that policy is now apparent. France's line up is likely to be the same. ;is last year, and there is little need to stress its great strength. Lacoste is apparently as good as ever. Borotra, twice Wimbledon winner, and tho player whose brilliance saved the day in the historic doubles match last July, may again be depended on. Cochct may be beaten, or pressed to the limit in events of comparative unimportance, but when France calls for the supreme effort he can be relied upon to be at his best.