LAWN TENNIS IN ENGLAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19019, 15 November 1923, Page 4

LAWN TENNIS IN ENGLAND.

THE MOST POPULAR GAME.

MR T. R. QUILL’S IMPRESSION'S. Mr T. a. Quill, who returned to Christchurch a few days ago from a trip to the Old Country, gave an interesting account of hie impressions of English lawn tennis in th® course of a chat with a Lyttelton Times mporter. While in England Mr Quill saw all the matches played at Wimbledon in the English championships and also visited a number of other leading tournaments in different parts of the country. “The number of people playing tennis in England has increased enormously in the past few years and I have no hesitation in saying that it is easily the most popular game that is played,” declared Mr Quill. As far as the standard of play was concerned England had not yet recovered fully from the effects of the war, which had interfered very greatly with tennis, in common with all other games. _ But there wera several young players coming on who would make their mark in the tennis world. There was no doubt that in the course of the next few years England would regain her position in spite of the wonderful playera America and Australia were producing. The championships were now held at the new Wimbledon ground which. comprises a, largo number of courts, one of which ia enclosed by one of the largest tennis stand* in the world, which has accommodation tor thousands of spectators. This stand , was taxed to the utmost at this year's championships, in fact thousandc of people stayed away thinking they would not bo able to see anything of the matches. The tennis itself was disappointing from the players' point of view. owing largely to the absence of W. T. Tilden and leading Australian players. Richards and Hunter, the two Americans who came over wtih Johnson, were disappointing and no one at the tournament seriously extended “Little Billy,” as Johnson is called. Although tho general impression was tha t Johnson was not at his best when he was subsequently beaten so easily by Tilden in America, there was no doubt that he was not up to the standard of either Tilden or Anderson of Sydney. MD.LLE. LENGLEN’S VOGUE. Chief interest at Wimbledon, said Mr Quill, was centred on Mademoiselle Suzanne Lenglen, who was easily the greatest attraction that over played tennis at any tournament. There was no doubt whatever that she was several classes ahead of any other lady player in the world, not excepting Miss Helen Wills of America. Grass courts were still the most popular in . England, but there was good reason for believing that on. account of the climatic conditions the new hard courts that wera springing up would in time take their place. Even in laying down the new Wimbledon tennis courts the authorities had this in view as they had put down a few hard courts •■n addition to the grass ones. The .greatest objection to the grass courts in countries such as England and New Zealand was that *he season was necessarily short and placed these countries at a great disadvantage compared with Australia and other countries where it was possible to play on grass all the roar round. For this reason it was generally admitted in England that the hard court must be the court of the, future. There were several indoor courts in England -at Queen’s Club, Dulwich, and other leading clubs—but the expense attached to them, was very considerable and at their best 'hey were a poor substitute for the outdoor playing surfaces. As far as Sunday tennis was concerned, Mr Quill found that it was quite a recognised thing in London. From time to time attempts were made to stop it, but it seemed to have such a hold that it was very unlikely that it would ever be put an end to. At all the town clubs in England Sunday tennis was just as usual a thing as Sunday golf, and it was certainly not doing anybody anv harm. A PROFESSIONAL COACH. In outlining a proposal that the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association should engage a professional tutor whose services would bo available to members of affiliated clubs, Mr Quill said he was asked by Admiral Sykes, the president of Queen’s Club, the leading London tennis .club, to bring under the notice of the tennis authorities in New Zealand the fact that several good professional players would be available to come to New Zetland, if sufficient inducement was offered to them. “I think the absence of professional tuition has all along been a weak spot in New Zealand tennis, and I feel sure that when tho particulars regarding professionals are placed before (he Canterbury Tennis Association sufficient support will be forthcoming to offer the necessary inducement to one or two professional players to come to New Zealand,” added Mr, Quill. Since his return ha had riot had an opportunity of mentioning the matter to Canterbury tennis enthusiasts, but he was hoping that Canterbury would take the lead. As far as Canterbury was concerned, he knew of an excellent professional player who would like to come to Christchurch, and as this player had a strong recommendation from Admiral Sykes, ho thought there would be no hesitation iu making arrangements to. secure his services At Queen's Club, said Mr Quill, there,was no fewer than 10 professionals in attendance, and their services were always in demand. In hie opinion, professional tutors were just na necessary for tennis clubs as for golf clubs. It was only a few years ago that golf professionals were introduced in New Zealand. and now every club of any standing had one attached to it. In regard to tennis, a good player was unable to get much enjoyment out of a set if his opponent was a poor player, and the latter often had difficulty in finding anyone willing to go to the trouble of teaching him how to play properly. If professionals were available anyone desiring to loam the game could obtain lessons from them. Another aspect of the matter wan that a player wishing to play a few sets at a time when it was difficult to secure a partner could make an appointment with the club professional. That would prove a great convenience in the case of those who did not know many members of the clubs. As far as he was aware, the matter had never been considered by the tennis authorities' of New Zealand, and the present was a very opportune time to take it up.