BOY TENNIS WONDER

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17953, 3 December 1932, Page 2

BOY TENNIS WONDER

AUSTRALIA’S YOUTHFUL STAR SYDNEY, Nov. 17. There is a new star in Australia’s sporting skv, one Vivian McGrath, only 17, who has astounded everyone by bis magnificent displays against the American tennis champions who are now touring Australia. Of course, be has not stepped suddenly into the limelight he has taken part" in big tennis for two years now —but no one suspected the brilliance which lie displayed when no defeated Wiliner Allison, ranked second in America, last -Saturday. Ho thrilled a huge crowd as it has never been thrilled before. And it is likely that ho will gc> on thrilling crowds, foi it is clear that he is improving with every match, and is already capable of holding bis own with tho world’s best. Allison, who has played throughout the world, should be a fine judge, so let him tell bis own .story of McGrath n prowess: "I have never seen a youngster play such fine tennis,” ho said immediately after his defeat, while he was stretched out, thoroughly exhausted. “His lobs were amazing. Henri Oochet, I thought, was the best at that type o) game, hut McGrath is his equal in every respect-. He is uncanny.” McGrath has, au amazing backhand stroke, in whirili ho grips the- racquet with both hands, and Allison admitted that be was “tickled to death ’ with it. “He has a great shot across the court, says Allison. “It is terrifically fast, placed well, and' will always be a source of wonder to me. Me is a great lad, and Australia .should be proud of him, for he promises to go a long way in the game. He has everything in him to make him a world star, and with a little more experience there is no telling whom he will beat.” Before he left school McGrath was beating most of the tennis stars of Australia, and of these the only one who can be said, to be his master is the Das’is Cup player Crawford. Crawford met McGrath soon softer his return from abroad, and lie administered a sound defeat,. But McGrath has the right temperament ; he is full ol fight, and he showed this in his memorable match With Allison. Why, he even took a set from the redoubtable Vines, and Vines will have no easy battle when he meets McGrath in the first test match at Brisbane w a weeks time. McGrath has been junior champion of Australia for two years now, not be long, at Ins present rate of pro gress, before lie ia senior champion well.