AUSTRALIAN'S BEST

Southland Times, Issue 22873, 24 April 1936, Page 18

AUSTRALIAN'S BEST

Uopman’s Tennis Rankings

Adrian Quist and Miss Joan Hartigan are ranked by Harry Hopman as the leading Australians on last year’s performances. The men he places as follows, the number in indicating the position held last season:— 1— A. K. Quist (S.A., equal 2nd). 2— J. H. Crawford (N.S.W., 1). 3— H. Hopman (Vic., 6). 4— J. Bromwich (N.S.W., 5). 5— V. B. McGrath (N.S.W., equal 2nd). 6— A. A. Kay (Vic., equal 9th). 7— D. J. Turnbull (S.A., 4). 8— L. E. Schwartz (S.A.), E. F. l Moon (Qld., 7). 10—D. Thompson (N.S.W., 8). Justifying his placings Hopman writes:— The most noticeable change is that Crawford’s name is missing from the top of the list. He has been such a consistent champion that a list headed by another name seems wrong. But we must accustom ourselves to Quist in No. 1 position, fox- his style and improvement in his game and temperament suggests that lie is there to stay for some time. McGrath’s fall, from equal second with Quist, to five, is next in importance. No doubts can be cast on Quist’s ascendancy. His performances abroad last yeax- were negligible, but from the time he landed back in Australia he was undefeated in major tournaments. He won the championships of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Australia, in that order, defeating Crawford in two finals, Bromwich in another and me in a fourth.

Quist has yet to prove he can carry the title. His improvement over the past six months indicates that he will play equally well as Australian champion, as when without even a State title. Crawford’s Form. Crawford headed the ranking first in 1929, was then displaced by Moon for a year, and has held it since, until this year. Who knows, he may have sufficient fight left to come back again. It would not surprise me, for I believe that Crawford, in good physical condition, as he undoubtedly is now, is capable of beating the world, if he can regain his confidence. Crawford, even out of touch, was further above the rest this year than Quist was above him. Third position must go to Bromwich or to me, and here the relative importance of championship matches of five sets and interstate of three sets, must crop up. Overseas ranking is made only on results of five set encounters, and in such my record is better than the Sydney boy’s. But he defeated me twice in three-set matches. Against that, however, is the fact that he lost to McGrath in a best of three-set match, while I defeated McGrath twice in championship play. If three-set matches are to be given much recognition then Schwartz’s two wins over Quist in Adelaide pennant play should entitle him to high ranking and Howard Lewis’s performance in defeating Crawford in the Manly championships, would bring him into the picture. Bromwich-Hopman Record. Performances are as follows:— Bromwich defeated Hopman in interstate twice in best of 3 set rubbers; lost to Quist in quarter final N.S.W. championships in 4 sets; lost to Quist Queensland final 5 sets (he and Quist and Moon only ranked players competing); lost to Crawford Victorian championships in straight sets; lost to Quist in Australian championships in straight sets; won South Australian championships, defeating Turnbull in final. Hopman lost to Bromwich twice in interstate tennis in best of three set rubbers; defeated McGrath but lost to Quist in final, N.S.W. championships, in five sets; lost to Quist in Victorian championships in straight sets, after defeating Schwartz; defeated McGrath 4 sets quarter-final Australian championships, then lost .to Quist after- holding set points for 2 sets to 1 lead; won M.C.C. championship; defeated No. 1 South African, Farquharson, in French championships in straight sets, and led Boussus 2 sets to love; defeated Stedman at Wimbledon straight sets. McGrath Surprise. McGrath surprised the world by defeating Allison in the first round of Wimbledon. His Davis Cup defeats at the hands of Merlin, Boussus, Henkel and Cramm, however, outweighed the

brilliance of his Wimbledon form and his Davis Cup success against Stedman. Returning to Australia, McGrath’s form deterioriated, his only success being his one defeat of Bromwich in a three set encounter. He played in the New South Wales and Australian championships in which I defeated him. He won the New Zealand title, defeating E. D. Andrews.

Turnbull has a better tennis record than Kay, and taken all-round on doubles and singles I have no doubt he is a bettex- player. But Kay defeated Turnbull in theix- two meetings, once in interstate and then in the quarterfinal of the Australian Championship. Turnbull registered a brilliant win over Quist in a five set encounter, but cannot be placed above Kay because he lost to him in oux- major tournament. Kay lost to Thompson in Sydney, but reversed that result in Melbourne. Turnbull had-a poor record overseas last year, returning with nothing to enhance his ranking. Moon defeated Schwartz in the Australian Championship, but I find it difI ficult to place him above the South I Australian, who is slowly improving. Schwartz struck his worst form for the year in the Australian tournament, and perhaps the fact that he was playing for Davis Cup selection affected his game. Moon made few appearances in major tournaments and his game is gradually slipping deeper into the grooves of stereotype. The remaining place I give to the New South Wales Welshman, Thompson, after much deliberation. Thompson has not improved as much as, say Ewin, but he defeated Ewin in interstate and was equal, one win all, with Kay. Hassett, who with Thompson toured the Philippines, had insufficient performances to warrant ranking. The Women. The women are ranked as follows: 1— Miss Joan Hartigan (N.S.W., 1). 2— Miss Thelma Coyne (N.S.W., 5). 3— Miss Nancye Wynne (Vic., equal 9th). 4— Mrs H. Hopman (Vic., 3). 5— Miss May Blick (Vic. 8). 6— Miss Dot Stevenson (Vic., equal 9th). 7 — Miss Alison Hattersley (N.S.W., 6). 8— -Miss Gwen Griffiths (S.A.). 9— Miss Dot Weston (S.A.). 10— Miss May Hardcastle (Qld.). Miss Joan Hartigan heads my Australian women’s ranking list for the fourth time in succession. It is perhaps anomalous to add that I do not think Miss Hartigan is the best player in Australia—l would give that honour to Miss Thelma Coyne, (comments Hopman). When the year’s performances are weighed, however, Miss Hartigan’s splendid effort in defeating the 1934 Wimbledon champion, Miss Dorothy Round, at Wimbledon last year, entitles her to the No. 1 position. Miss Hartigan won the Australian Championship and the M.C.C. tournament, but was defeated in interstate games by Mrs Hopman. In women’s tennis interstate is almost as important as tournament tennis, becaxxse it is the same length—best of three sets. She lost the finals of the N.S.W. and Victorian Championships to Miss Coyne. Miss Hartigan had only one performance during her trip overseas, her defeat of Dorothy Round. Without that to her .credit, she would not have been ranked above Miss Coyne. Her supremacy is threatened, and, grand fighter that she is, I believe this is her last year as No. 1 in Australia. Miss Thelma Coyne, as yet only 17,

has already established a wonderful record by winning the N.S.W. and Victorian titles, both at the expense of Miss Hartigan. She suffered two defeats during tlxe year one by Miss Nancye Wynne in the Australian semi-final, and the other- when she lost to Miss Dot Stevenson in the triangular match in Melbourne. Miss Coyne was ill during the Australian Championship, but an operation immediately she returned to Sydney has proved successful, for she was playing badge (pennant) tennis last week. She has brightest prospects of being future champion.