TENNIS AT WIMBLEDON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20597, 23 June 1930, Page 11

TENNIS AT WIMBLEDON.

PLAY COMMENCES TO-DAY. WORLD'S GREATEST TOURNEY. PRESENT TITLE-HOLDERS. The fifty-fourth series of lawn tennis championships will commence to-day at Wimbledon, and the thoughts of tennis enthusiasts the world over will turn to this, the greatest of all tennis tournaments. In 1923 an article was published in America in which a whole-hearted tribute was paid to Wimbledon, and incidentally to British sportsmanship. "It cannot be too often stated or too strongly emphasised," the writer stated, "that at Wimbledon the game is the thing. From 1877 to 1907 inclusive, tho championship was won by Britons. Then came Norman Brookes, who scored the first win from across the seas. But Brookes was a colonial, and therefore British. Arthur .Gore, the grand old man of English lawn tennis, succeeded Brookes and again held the title for two years, 1908 and 1909. Then New Zealand knocked at the gate, and the late Anthony Wilding enjoyed a reign of four years. Then it was Brookes' turn again in 1914. Then the war caused the cessation of all play.- The year 1919 found another Australian, Gerald Patterson, at hand, and able to grasp the sceptre." For nearly 40 years Americans have been seeking in vain the blue of the lavra tennis world. The first American success came in 1920. when W. T. Tilden won. Since 1909 no Englishman has won the championship, and for a number of years since no British player could be regarded as a potential champion. France and the United States are the two countries that have figured most prominently since 1923 This year's contest promises to be as interesting as any of those before. The steady advance of youth into the ranks ot the leading tennis players is seen in nearlv all countries. Some of the veterans still hold dominion over the younger stars, but recent years have seen an increasing number of young players forcing their way into the top flight. In the men's singles Cochet will be a strong favourite. He has headed the world s best players for three years now, and as he is only 29 he is likely to prove a stumbling block to American hopes for some time. Borotra should also be well to the fere. That Tilden is still a power in the tennis world is revealed by his form _ in recent European tournaments. Since France secured the Davis Cup, however, he has not been able to record a win against Cochet. These will be the big three" at this year's meeting, but outside Cochet, Borotra and Tilden, there are Crawford, Hopman, Lott, Doeg and Boussus. A representative entry is also assured in the ladies' events. Mrs. Moody, better known as Miss Wills, will defend the title she has held for three years, but she will probably face sterner opposition than on previous occasions. ller victory for the fourth time seems, however, assured.

Present holders of the titles are:—Men's singles, H. Cochet; ladies' singles, Miss 11. Wills; men's doubles, W. Allison and <T. Van Ryn; ladies' doubles, Mesdames 2il. "Watson and Mitchell; combined doubles, F. T. Hunter and Miss Wills.