LAWN TENNIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22405, 29 April 1936, Page 22

LAWN TENNIS

PAST SEASON REVIEWED RISE OF YOUNGER PLAYERS BRIGHT FUTURE PROSPECTS BY SIDKLINE The most striking feature of the past tennis season has been the emergence of the younger players, who have at last outstripped the majority of the seniors. Noli for many years have the prospects oi Auckland tennis appeared so bright. Of the seniors one only has retained a definite superiority over the rapidlyimprpving young players. This is N. G. Sturt, whoso improvement has been as great as that of any of the younger men. Playing with more speed, accuracy and confidence, Sturt has established himsslf as Auckland's No. 1 player. 10. L. Bartleet has plAycd little serious tennis this season and appears to be devoting his main energies to golf. Of the remaining older players J. W. Neaie, of Parnell, has had the best season and has played an excellent. all-comt game. Among the juniors pride of place must be given to A. D. Brown, whose powerful driving and determination entitle him to rank second only to Sturt. .T. T. Ma\son has displayed great spirit in winning matches that appeared to lie lost, but he is indecisive overhead. In this department J. W. Gunn excels. It is, indeed, almost his only matfh-winn ng shot, but he compensates to a large extent for his inferior stroke equipment and physique by his considerably greater tactical skill. He is the best doubles player among the local juniors. J. Leng, of Campbell Park, has made a great advance this season. His best shot is his volley, which is well directed, hard and crisp. He has, in fact, an all-round stroke equipment, great determination and an apparent insensibility to fatigue, which should carry him far, particularly on hard courts. By substituting a Hat drive for his present ovcrspun forehand, he would make himself formidable in any company in the province. Failure of A. W. Allen

After making a fine start by winning the Rotorua championship from an entry which included E. L. Bartleet,. J. Roach, R. R. Lees and S. J. Robinson, A. W. Allen failed entirely to fulfil that promise. Rather than profit by his defeats, he seems disheartened by them. A tendency to underestimate his partners was in evidence at the hard-court championships and it cannot but have a bad effect on that brinch of his game. Miss Marjorie Macfarlane is still entitled to rs.nk first among the ladies, but her position is insecure. With Miss J. Ramsay she represents the sole survival of the older players against the challenge cf the younger. Of these Miss B. L. Bishop has the best stroke equipment and will probably capture the provincial title within the next two seasons. More variety of length and pace and a little more agility would rapidly plate her among the Dominionranked players. Miss R. Taylor has had a chequered season. 111-health at the commencement prevented her from finding her true form until late. Like Miss B. Griffiths, sie plays the game for the game's sako, and appears indifferent as to the result, unless something beyond the mere winning of a title arouses the fighting spirit. Once this has been done either of these players is capable of extending, if not beating, any other lady in Auckland.

Indomitable Fighter Miss E. Stewart is a player representing the best of the opposite type, an indomitable fighter whatever the occasion. Her defeat of Miss Ramsay in the final of the Eden and Epsom championship wis a fitting crown to a season of truiy remarkable improvement. A strong constitution enables her to waste energy over incorrectly executed shots and ntill appear fresh at the end of the most strenuous match. By comparison, Miss L. E. Adams play appears effortless. This young exponent also appreciates the value of using one s brain to save one's feet. Her chief need at .the present time is practice against hard driving. Among the country players there are two younger men of outstanding ability. These are 11. R. Lees, whose fine performances in the Auckland championships for the past three years will be remembered by most Auckland enthusiasts, and 11. Smith, of Kaitaia, the present North Auckland champion. Business reasons have prevented Smith from competing in Auckland tournaments for several j'ears, but on his present form he would probably be ranked in the first half-dozen players in the city.

Court Manners It would appear from observations made at several tournaments this season that, among the younger players, at least, the court manners of the ladies are better than those of the men. One never sees in lady players those petty exhibitions; of annoyance which are unfortunately prevalent among the younger men. In most cases, it appears to be merely a habit which should bo checked while the player is still young. In a very few cases one suspects deliberate exhibitionism which should bo dealt with by a competent authority.

There is a serious weakness in the ranks of the younger players so far as the doubles game is concerned. Gunn, Stevens and Leng are the only ones who appear to have devoted serious consideration to the peculiar tactics of this branch of the game. Of the junior ladies, Miss Bishop shows very great promise as a doubles player, while Misses Stewart, Adams and Hall have rather more ability than the average. The doubles weakness of Auckland players, speaking generally, is much more apparent among the ladies than the men. Too often, even in first grade matches, ladies' doubles deteriorate into monotonous base-lino driving exhibitions with no tactical object in view, or, worse still, into interminable lobbing contests. The insistence of teachers, coaches and club officials on the tactical value of the net position and the meansi of securing it, is necessary to combat this weakness.

GOLFERS EARNINGS INCOME OF BOBBY JONES Bobby Jones, the world's greatest colfer since the days of Harry Vardon, turned 34 years of age last month. Starting at the age of five on the East Lake course, Atlanta, with an old cut-down putter from his mother's collection of clubs, he developed a swing and a method that have become classical. Six years ago he achieved the seemingly impossible—tho "grand slam" of golf. This was tho winning in one season of the world's four major titles —the British and American amateur and open championships. Jones, a lawyer by profession, then retired from the game; and capitalised his skill. His income lias been assessed at £IO,OOO a year. He now plays at week-ends only, engaging in friendly four-ball matches, with his father as partner.