TENNIS CHAMPIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21328, 1 November 1932, Page 10

TENNIS CHAMPIONS

'ARRIVAL OF AMERICANS EXHIBITION GAMES PLAYED COMING AUSTRALIAN TOUR PROSPECTS IN DAVIS CUP The American lawn tennis team, which fs to tour Australia and, later on, New Zealand, arrived in Auckland yesterday by tho Niagara, and its members subsequently played exhibition games at Stanley Street the presence of a large gathering of spectators. Tho visiting party comprises Messrs. Wilmer Allison, manager, 11. Ellsworth Vines t John Van Ryn and Keith Gledhill, and Mesdames Allison, Vines/and Van Ryn. The Americans were met on board the Niagara and welcomed by Mr. G. Gore, president of the New Zealand Lawn lennis Association, and Mr. 11. B. Hardy, president of the Auckland Association. Directly the vessel berthed shortly after 2 p.m. tho visitors were motored to the Stanley Street courts. "We did not expect to play here, but when wo learned at Suva that tho Auckland Association was so keen to see us m action we were only too pleased to oblige," said Mr. Allison. "When we left homo we thought we were in for a well* earned rest, as we had had six or seven months of strenuous championship and Davis Cup tennis. However, wo gave exhibitions at Honolulu, but not at Suva. Wo have a very hard tour ahead of us in Australia and it seems to me at present that it will have to be curtailed a little, more especially if we are to tour New Zealand on our way back. Australians Great Sportsmen "Mr. Vines, our leading player, is due back in America early in March, but if we do not get away from Australia until the middle of February, your public may not see much of him. However, nothing definite can be said until I have consulted the Australian authorities. The programme they have mapped out for us includes five test matches, apart from championship play, and this looks rather strenuous, especially as we shall go right back to another hard six months' play on our return to America. "I must say the whole party is very pleased indeed to have the opportunity df coming to New Zealand and Australia. Wo gaw a great deal of the Australian Davis Cup team when it passed through America, and also in England, and we consider them the finest lot of sportsmen we have ev§r met outside the United States. It was because of thi3 that the present tour was arranged, and we aro looking forward very keenly to renewing acquaintances with the Australian players." Not Yet Reached Zenith Speaking of the members of the team, Mr. Allison said he did not think Vines had yet reached his zenith. He won the •world's championship this year, but, as he is only 21 years of age, Mr. Allison expected him to rise to stid greater heights. In such case he would be unconquerable by any player at present taking part in the game. Regarding Gledhill, the American manager said this young player was essentially a doubles exponent. He, too, would improve in the next year or two. Mrs. Van Hyn, who had been ranked among the first ten in America for the past four years, would participate in matches in Australia. Mr. Allison is very hopeful regarding the success next year of the Americans in the Davis Cup contest. They went very close to recapturing tho trophy this year, and he thought the present team would be equal to the task on the next occasion. Coming World's Champion In connection with younger players coming on, Mr. Allison said he had great hopes of Frankie Parker, a lad of 16 j cars, who was already good enough to be ranked in the first ten in the United States. "He is in the hands of Mercer Beasley, who is regarded as the world's foremost coach," said Mr. Allison. Sutter, who will rank third in America this year, and myself, have all passed through Mr. Beasley's hands. Parker is ' undoubtedly a coming world champion." The visitors were entertained at an unofficial dinner at the Grand Hotel last evening and were later the guests of the Auckland Aero Club at a dance at the Mangere Aerodrome. To-day they will be taken for a drive and will play golf in the afternoon. They will be entertained nt dinner by officials of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association this evening and will sail for'Svdnev by the Niagara later.