FOOT-FAULT RULE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22434, 2 June 1936, Page 9

FOOT-FAULT RULE

AUSTBALIANS PUZZLED MIGHT HAVE COST MATCH" NO PROTEST AT DECISIONS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received Juno 1, 6.5 p.m.) PHILADELPHIA, May 31 The Australian Associated Press interviewed C. Sproule, the Australians' manager, who said: "For the life of me, I cannot understand their foot-fault rule. It might have cost us the match. If a man footfaults six times during a match, according to the interpretation of the judge, then it is likely that he will he foot-faulted throughout, and why weren't they all called? The poor kid was simply penalised unnecessarily. "I cannot understand how ft judge with a piece of cardboard against one eye can see tlio hall in play and the •action of the player's feet at the same time. They claim that, ho has one foot, over the line before lie hits the hall, but. that is not so. If tho penalisation of foot-faults is for the purpose of preventing advantage in running to the not, bow far advanced toward the forecourt was Quist at any time after footfaults were called on hirnP As a matter of fact lie was so anxious to prevent a penalty that he deliberately sacrificed most of his opportunities to run up after his service. If Quist is a footfaulter, then Mako and Allison certainly are, but wo never called footfaults against Allison in Australia, The Internationa] Lawn Tennis Federation lias defined a foot-fault, but its interpretation here is mysterious." Mr. Sproule added, however, that ho would not protest. Asked what his feelings about to-morrow's matches were now, he said: "Well, after this match, how would you feel?" That the foot-fault calling had troubled hoth players was evidenced by the fact that they were concerned about tho same eventualities in to-day's rubber. Quist was particularly troubled. Ho was unable to understand why footfaults had been called in yesterday's singles. He was certain that both liis feet had been behind'the line, and one foot on the ground. "I cannot understand how that happened," he said. Sports commentators threw attention to the fact that it was unfortunate foot-faults were called against visiting players and always apparently at crucial points of the match. One linesman who called faults said: "The rule is so clear that there cannot be any misunderstanding about it. Violation thereof may be unconscious, but to one watching to see that tho rule iii not violated it is immediatelv apparent when violation has occurred."

HIGH PRAISE OF QUIST J. B. CRAWFORD'S FORECAST CHANCES AT WIMBLEDON (Received June I, 5.5 p.m.) PHILADELPHIA. May 31 Relaxed and in genial mood, J. B. Crawford to-night sketched for the Australian Associated Press what was in his mind concerning Australia's position in international tennis. Asked who was going to win at Wimbledon, and was G. von Cramm a menace, Crawford said. "Von Cramm is beatable. It is hard to tell what is going to happen so early in the season, but trends are noticeable. I fancy Australia will make her mark in this year's records. "Quist is niv choice for top ranking sooner or later. His steady climb to ever finer tennis is phenomenal, and his improvement will still continue. His game has rounded out, ar.d he has tho temperament fo. tournament play. The foot-fault incident, which would break tho nerve of a lesser figure, only made him more certain of himself. He will give a good account of himself tomorrow, and I favour him for Wimbledon. His evenness of play, his dependability in tight places, and above all, his increasing mastery of his strokes mako him tho best 'tennis risk' in the world to-day."

AMERICAN TOURNAMENT TEAM'S RETURN URGED IMPOSSIBLE FOR CRAWFORD (Received June 1. 5.5 p.m.) PHILADELPHIA, May 31 Strenuous efforts are being made to induce the Australian team to return to America for tho national singles, but J. 13. .Crawford informed a correspondent that it is simply out of the question. Ho has both his regular work and his journalistic job to which lie must return. It is understood that tho manager, 0. Sproulo, has been noncommittal concerning tho remainder of tho team. The question of expenses is probably th(£ most important aspect.

FRENCH CHAMPIONSHIPS PERRY TO MEET VO.N ORAMM (Received June 1, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, Mny 31 In the semi-finals of tho men's singles at tho French tennis championships G. von Cramm (Germany) defeated Marcel Bernard (France), 7—5, q—1 ; o—l. F. J. Perry (Britain) defeated C. Boussus (Franco), 6—-4, 7 —5, 5—7, 6—2. In the women's singles semi-finals, Madame Mathieu (France) defeated Fraulein Hoag (Germany), 6—4, 6—4. Madamo Sperling defeated Countes!) Do La Faldono (formerly Sonorita D'Alvarez), 6 —l, 6 —l.