LAWN TENNIS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14702, 9 December 1909, Page 5

LAWN TENNIS.

INTERVIEW WITH MR WILDING. (Fno.M Our Chvx ConitKSPOXDENT.) WELLINGTON, December 8. Mr A. F. Wilding returned to New Zealand to-day, after having, in company with Mr Norman Brookes, of Melbourne, succeeded in defeating tho American challengers fov the Davis Cup. Mr Wilding, who is looking remarkably well a'ter his Australian tour, has not very much to say about his own performances, but ho seems to have added considerably to his laui-els. I-la was successful in the championships in Western Australia, and subsequently he defeated Brokes. Then the two went on to Sydney, and defeated the Americans. The colonial players held their men all the time, and the is.sue was never in doubt. . Their opponents were rather joung snd inexperienced, wliilo Brookes and Wilding were just about at their best. Biookes's su;*rb volloving and his (Jifficult services were too much for his opponent in the singles. Ilis illness before the match consisted of a sore throat, but it was not sorioois. All f.jiir players went into training .for rho big ■notch, and even the gymnasium played its part in tlte preparation. Lawn tennis has become very popular in Australia, and large .ind' enthusiastic crowds watched the Davis Cup contests. In regard' to rising players, Mr Wilding says that Parker, of Western Australia—a natural and beautiful batsman,—is doing equally well with the racket, and is right up in the claw that contains Rice. Sharp, Dunlop, Ileath, Marsh, and others. Victoria has two very promising players in the brothers O'llara and Wood, who represented Victoria against South Australia. Marsh, too. is likely to be heard of. Mr Wilding states that Professor T. lluntor, the New Zealand delegate to Australia, was veTy sucoessful in his negotiations on behalf of New Zealand with the Australian authorities, and the probability is that the next Davis Cup contcst will be held in New Zealand. — The world owes you a living, but you must be your own debt-collector.