DAVIS CUP PROSPECTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18686, 16 October 1922, Page 8

DAVIS CUP PROSPECTS

INTERVIEWS W-TH PATTERSON AND ANDERSON. ■ SOME INTERESTING SIDELIGHTS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND. October 15. The prospects of wresting- the Davis Cup from America in the next year or two are not viewed in a very hopeful light by Patterson, who was interviewed here while passing through to Sydney. “While Tildcn and Johnston are playing there is little chance of getting the cup back,” he said. “The thing is that we do not possess the same facilities fer practice as the Americans do, and we need it, particularly for improving our backhands, which are all right against English players, but- not against the Americans. As long as Tilden and Johnston are playing America will hold (ho cup. There seems no likelihood of (heir retiring in the next three or four years —at least, there is no reason why they should. When they do go out we shall have a chance.” ‘Tilden and Johnston were play ing better than when they were in Auckland, Patterson said. Tilden’s famous “cannon-ball” service was not working as well, but otherwise ho seemed to have improved, if that were possible. Johnston had changed his game, and was not using his forehand with such severity. He was relying more on his backhand, which had become a wonderful weapon. His play was extremely steady and accurate. “Are you going to England next rear to defend your title at Wimbledon?” Patterson was asked. “I am not going as far as I know,” was (he reply, “partly because of business and partly because of too much tennis.” Under (lie new arrangement the holder of the title has to play right through, instead of simply meeting the winner of the eliminating rounds. Tilden and Johnston were not going to Wimbledon next year, as far as Patterson knew, but he heard a rumour that they would bo going m 1924. Questioned regarding various suggestions for a new world’s championship competition instead of the title going to the winner at Wimbledon. Patterson said there would have to bo a change. “It is not really a world's championship,” he said. “So why have it as that? I won this year, and. therefore, I am the world’s champion; but look how Tilden and Johnston boat me.” Tennis in America was very well organised, said Patterson, and there wore a very promising lot of young players. Arnold Jones, who was about 18 years of age, a pupil of Tilden, stcoo out as the coming champion. . . , ~ , The nocessitv for improving backhand strokes, referred to by Patterson, was further emphasised by Anderson. “It is absolutely a vital thing,” he said. 1 Until we get an offensive backhand we have not much hope against Tilden and Johnston. Ours is purely a defensive shot. I think we are equal to the Americans in any other department of the game, but we have to cover far more ground owing to the weakness in onr backhand.” Discussing the position of tennis in Etifr : land, Anderson said there was not enough encouragement, for young players. All the old hands were still in the game, although practically "done,” and there was no one coming forward to take their places. If it. had not; been for the Australian and the French Davis Cun teams, and Norton, of South Africa. Wimbledon would not have been a representative tournament, at all. Wimbledon, Anderson said, was a most perfect ground, and a now stand built of steel and concrete had been erected, with accommodation for 14,000 people Anderson went very near to breaking Tilden in the Davis Cup. He had to spend 10 days in the Acu rondacks recuperating after his attack of pneumonia, and this left, him with only live days for practice before the challenge round He led two sets to one against Tildcn, and, with the games four all, the score was 40-15 in his favour. On the American’s service, however, lildcn took the gamh and ran out 6—4, and in the fifth set ho won 6-3. Patterson s match with Tilden was very close in the first two sets, and in Anderson’s opinion lus team mate should have won both sot?. After that he seemed to tiro, and Tilden forcing matters, and playing wonderful tennis, ran out easily at 6—o in the third sot. In his match against Johnston Pattoison nas absolutely outclassed. Anderson expected him to do'better, but Johnston played faultless tennis. . Anderson was greatly impressed witn “Sandy” Wocner, a boy of 12, who has been coached by Tilden. He thinks the lad will be a wonderful player. It is Ander son’s intention to leave Australia in March

or April to take part in the Wimbledon championships next year. I’ulterson expressed (ho opinion tiiat Alonzo Would he Anderson’s only serious opponent. On the subject of next year’s Davis Cup contest Patterson was very doubtful whether lie would he able to get away. “I think I will have to stay at homo and 1 , do more woik. I have been away from my business too long now. and cannot afford to lose another six months. It is really very controversial whether wo should send a team next year. A lot of good is done by visits to other countries, hut it is a big expense, and unless A (cam can get into (he challenge round it. is questionable whether it. is worth while. If wc had not got into the challenge round wo would have lost about £2000.” Wood stated that (ho (our had been a great success financially, and had been a most enjoyable time for all the members. He raid definitely that he would not be leaving Australia next year. Wortheim said he would be slaying at home next year. Ho imped, however, to go to Wimbledon in 1924