DAVIS CUP MATCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23595, 3 September 1938, Page 13

DAVIS CUP MATCH

AUSTRALIA v. AMERICA THE PLAYERS AT PRACTICE UNPLEASANT INCIDENTS (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 1. (Received Sept. 2, at 9 p.m.) Two incidents involving what could hardly be termed other than poor American sportsmanship somewhat strained the amicable relations between the Australian and the American Davis Cup players, and left the Australians awaiting, the matches with a decidedly unpleasant taste in their mouths. In the first place, when the Australians arrived at the match courts for the last hard workout they found them extremely soggy as the result of rain all night. They decided not to use them, fearing that play on them might cause serious damage. After a long delay in locating a responsible official, the members of the American team arrived and unhesitatingly appropriated all three courts and began to practise. Mr Hopman protested that the Australians had not yet had a chance to practise, whereupon the Americans replied, "That's your bad luck. Your time is up, and the courts are now ours." It was only after a bitter argument that the Americans yielded the doubles court, retaining the two singles courts.

The second incident occurred when the referee, Mr Joseph Weare, ruled that Lott could not practise on the match courts, since he was not a Davis Cup player. Mr Hopman's pleas that coaches had been permittted to practise against the Australians . everywhere else were unavailing. The Australians substituted Nakano as Quist's opponent in the Singles and Schwartz as his partner in the Doubles. Despite the unpleasantness, the Australians had a nard workout for an hour. Mr Hopman deemed it unwise to practise longer for fear that the slow bounce from the wet court would harm rather than help timing. He said the Australians were fit and ready.