LAWN TENNIS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11655, 20 October 1923, Page 10

LAWN TENNIS

WHO WILL BEAT LENGLEN? GENERAL JOTTINGS. An English daily discussing women’s place in tennis, declares that tile Lenglen conquerer, if she ever comes, will hail fiom California, or if not, from New Zealand (writes a London correspondent). This it declares to be ito reasoned conclusion after reviewing the position now after the American women's tournament i<s over. The real final round of the. American women’s tournament, it ««ays, wn« j>toyed earlier on when Miss Helen Wills beat. McAxane after three sets and by a narrow After that it was no surprise that Mrs Mallory, whj was in the weaker half of the dv&tf and reached the final, should be demolished by Muss Wills, for Mrs Mallory, though seven times singles champion of the United Stales, has never reached the highest levels on this side of the water. Bui by the same token it is unlikely thav Miss Wills would be good enough to defeat the terrible Lenglen, could she meet her at. this moment. Miss McKane has never got more than lour games in a match with Mile. Lenglen, and she is little, if any, inferior to Miss Wills. But as Miss Wills has youth and determination on her side, and “comes from California, a corner of the world whose magnificent climate, where the air is invigorating to breathe as it is clear to plav in, is turning out. a wonderful breed of athletes, like our own New. Zealand.'’ Miss Wills may yet beat the French woman. Miss Ryan, Miss Sutton, and the great W. M. Johnston are Californians. INTER-STATE TENNIS. Tho “Refeiee” states that the New South "Wales Association lias accepted an invitation, to send teams of ladies and men to Melbourne in November for the annual inter-state matches on November 16th and 17th on the new courts at Kooyong, and has turned down an in vitation from New Zealand for a team in February, but is willing to send a team over in December. The Sfcv> South Wales players must be back in Australia for .the Australian champion ships, which are to be held at Melbourne, and the New South Wales championships nt Sydney in February. Country Week starts in Sydney on January Bth. so it is just possible that the New South Wales team, if it does oome over iti December, may have to leave here early in January. Seemingly, it is a team in December or no team, so after all it 'is better to have the extra attraclion for the New Zealand charnpionshi]w than not to have a visit this season from New South Wales players; but that, of course, is a matter for the New Zenland committee. EXHIBITION FOR AUCKLAND. J. O. Anderson, R. E. Schlesinger, am) J. E. McTnnes* of the Australian Davis Cup team, are due to arrive in Auckland at the end of this month. The Auckland Lawn Tennis Association has been m communication with Anderson by cable, asking for an exhibition match. It. was feared that this would fall through owing to the absence of J. B. Ilawkes, but tlii> has been averted by Anderson’s cabled reply agreeing to the suggestion that the fourth place be filled by a local player.

PERSONAL JOTTTNGS.

A. W. Sims, the holder of the Auckland and Waikato championships among other titles v.ill be located in Christchurch this season. There he will havo every opportunity, so far as playing facilities are concerned, of developing his game, and hi.s doings on the court will bo followed with interest hy many tennis playe-s. Sims bus rapidly slot to the front, and will ha v e many supporters for tho singles title should he enter to tho Dominion tourney this season. A reinforcement to Wellington tennis has ai rived in the person of C. Wheeler. Wheeler is well-known in the Otago district, where he has been for years past, and where his name hn.s appeared in tho final of more than one even!. lie seems to have struck early form. W. Rage, of Auckland, sometimes known as ‘'Hurricane, 0 is in Wellington and will be playing here during the early part of the season. Rage is » lefthanded player of much scverilv and established a good record in the Now Zealand championships at Hastings last '-car. Yet another arrival is D. G. France, w.ho has returned to the Brougham Ilill Club after healing most of the men ho ruck during his season’s stay in Auckland, and pushing E. Bart lent to three sets on the only occasion on which they met. A departure to he recorded is that of G. N. T. Goldie. Brougham Hill single champion and winner of all four events nt. tho Metropolitan Easter lournoy. Goldie has gone to Blenheim, and {here hopes to Ik> the means of n Blenheim representative team meeting Wellington before very long.

STILL FORMIDABLE

EJTCHIE’S 53rd BIRTHDAY. Australian and N.Z. Cable AA»ciaUon. (Received. October 19. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, October '*9, ,7. Cl. Ritchie celebrated his fifty-third birthday by beating Watts, o—o, (>-l, (I—2 in the London covered courts championship. He showed fine activity and wonderful judgment.