LAWN TENNIS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2924, 30 March 1910, Page 63

LAWN TENNIS.

BY BACQTTET. At last the venue of the next Davis Cup competition has been decided—viz., Wellington. Now that the decision has been arrived at it will not be out of place to give an opinion on it. The Canterbury Association considered that the city of th© plains had a big claim to it on account of Christchurch being the birthplace «nd the home of one of the defenders—Anthony. Wilding. Besides this, it was better provided with suitable grounds than any other town in the Dominion. The first reason is only a sentimental one, and it was only right to dispense with it at once. Regarding grounds, while Christchurch certainly is fortunate in having several suitable ones, still, other towns can easily find a ground whereon a big tournament can be played—the New Zealand championship . being played at the same place ■ as the. Davis -Cup contest. Wellington, by its geographical situation, is certainly the wisest choice. It is equidistant from Auckland and Invercargill, consequently the tournament will receive a larger measure of support from the public than if- it. was ■ held in a(ny of the other centres. Again, the New Zealand Association has to -look after its own financial interests, and must endeavour to have the contest played where, in its wisdom, the moat money can be made, and this is undoubtedly Wellington. The new Southland Association, which is at present applying for permission to become -recognised, will have at the outset some 22 affiliated clubs. The large majority of the said clubs have not been affiliated to the Otago Association, as they could not hope to derive any benefit joining, being so far from the ruling body. Once more the local association has been blessed with gloriously fine weather for its Easter championship tournament. A troublesome wind was experienced on Saturday morning, hut it died clown during the afternoon considerably. The management was, as usual, perfect, the controlling influence being the indefatigable honorary secretary—the hero of many tournaments. Messrs Daggar, Begg, and Gibson lent invaluable aid on the Kaituna and Balmacewen Courts; while the popular president (Mr R. S. Black) was to be seen here, there, and everywhere looking after the comfort of the competitors and tors. The players and supporters were willing at all times to umpire, and gave yeoman service in this directon. While writing- on the question of umpiring, it is a peculiar fact that out of every 10 players only a small percentage—siay, three—lay claim to being even average umpires. They do not appear to keep their mind© on the game; they take their eyes off the ball and they do not call out the scores in a clear, audible voice. All these faults are exasperating to the players, and in cases of temperamental oeoole puts them right off their game. Good umpiring is one of the most important things in a tennis tournament. So far as I have seen the average standard of play has not been so good as in former years. This is mainly due to the fact that there are so many of Dunedin's best players not taking part. _ On the other hand there are many individual cases of I merit. In no previous tournament has there i been so many cases of calculations being

upset as in ilia one. .Vkyors have won. games where they .lever themselves considered th«y had . skunce, and likewiso othoxa have (02k going on to cho court ?ul' oi corriaCTofe, knowing that their opponents had neves: - before made any ■di'ow against J h«->m A few instances should be interesting. In the Men's Championship Singles, J. S. Sinclair, having a 3-set go with P. B. Boyd, disposed o'' S. 5. Brown in the easiest possible manner ii straight sets. Brown held the championship cup for three years previous to Anthony Wilding winning it, and Sinclair has never previously had any chance against him. Brown was in good physical form and quite confident, but could not get on to his game. Sinolair, on tht other hand, never played to better advantage. On the following day, in the nost round, Sinclair went down "to A. B. M'Kcrrow in an easier manner than he beat .Brown. Again it might be stated that M'Kerrow, who has played for many years in tournaments, has never beaton, either Brown or Sinclair, nor is he in thesame class; still, on the. day, he won, and decisively. The wind was troublesome to Sinclair, likewiso M'Kerrow's chop shots. In the Championship Doubles, the two Invercargill pairs met —Tucker and Hamilior and Uren and Callender. At home on their own courts the former pair are the back-marker* and can easily give the others 15 in every game, yet on this occasion' they failed lamentably, going down to the colts, 7—5, 7—5. In the Ladies' Handicap Singles Miss ' Glayd'3 Stoneham—a school girl last year easily defeated Miss Winnie Tucker 9—4. Miss Stoneham' was receiving the limit, certainly, but Miss Tucker (Invercargill's best lady player) is a player of experience, and it was quite expected chat she would _ account for the set. but again the urnlooked for happened. The two Calder Brothers are playing well this year.; likewise is Boyd, M'Kerrow," and Nicholson. The brothers Brown have been seen to much bettor advantage in previous tournaments. Pearse has noit improved since his last visit. Frank Wilding has many strokes similar to those of his famous brother, but lacks finality and consistency. His service is a valuable asset to him. Miss Q. Stevenson had the misfortune to sprain her ankle previous to the tournament, consequently had to default to her opponents in all the events. The finals and semi-finals will be discussed in next week's column. AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATION. DAVIS CUP PINAL. TO BE DECIDED IN WELLINGTON. I SYDNEY, March 24. At the annual meeting of the Tennis Association of Australasia it was decided that the headquarters of the association for the next 12 months should be in Sydney. The Davis Cup Committee resolved that the challenge round for the cup should be played in Wellington during the latter part of December. It was decided to approach England and America with a view to having the preliminary round played m Australia.