WIMBLEDON ON MONDAY

Southland Times, Issue 23852, 24 June 1939, Page 11

WIMBLEDON ON MONDAY

Prospects For World Championships SINGLES TITLES NOT DEFENDED By TOPSPIN The 1939 All England championships begin on Monday, and thousands of tennis enthusiasts will again be flock - ing to Wimbledon to see stars of all nations battling for what is virtually the title of champion of the world. For two years Donald Budge has held almost undisputed leadership of the amateur players, and for three years before ' that Fred Perry was equally outstanding. Who will wear Budge’s crown now that the red-headed American has turned professional? Will it be the English hope, Austin, or one of the Americans, Riggs or McNeil?- Will it be Menzel or Henkel, or will some player comparatively new to frontrank class suddenly smash into, - the limelight with an unexpected series or victories? . ■ . . Had Bromwich entered he. would no doubt have gone out favourite, but he is at present in Mexico with Quist, Crawford and Hopman of the Australian Davis Cup team. , , Austin has the honour of being seeded first in the draw. He contested the Wimbledon final with Budge last year, and has gained a long run of successes in Davis Cup and tournament play. Austin first came into prominence when he won the junior championship of Great Britain 17 years ago. He is now almost 33 years old. and five-set matches against first-class players are a severe test of anyone’s stamina however brilliant his shots. Following the usual practice several players have been seeded in both singles, ensuring that these players cannot clash earlier than the quarterfinals.

SEEDED PLAYERS The seeded players are: — H. W. Austin (Britain). R. L. Riggs (U.S.A.). D. McNeil (U.S.A.). F. Puncec (Yugoslavia). H. Henkel (Germany). R. Menzel (Germany). I. Tloczynski (Poland). Miss A. Marble (U.S.A.). Miss H. Jacobs (U.S.A.). Frl. H. Sperling (Germany). Madame R. Mathieu (France). Panna J. Jedrezjowska (Poland). Miss K. Stammers (Britain). Miss Hardwick (Britain). Mrs Fabyan (U.SA.).

The Americans, Bobby Riggs and Donald McNeil, follow Austin in the seeding. Riggs is highly thought of in America, and gained a convincing win over Quist in the challenge round or the Davis Cup against Australia last year. . McNeil has been very successful in recent European tournaments, his best effort being to carry off the honours in both singles and doubles in the Erench championship earlier this month. Capable of beating them all if only he could conquer his own temperament is the colourful Czech giant, Roderick Menzel, who is now classed aS a German, and recently played for Germany in Davis Cup matches. Von Cramm is probably also competing, although not seeded. Were he to regain top form he would have a very good chance of gaining the title. N.Z. REPRESENTATION New Zealand will be represented by experienced players in C. E. Malfroy, A. D. Brown, D. Coombe and F Edwards. It is interesting to note that all four have.held the singles championship of their country. J W. Gunn, of Auckland, holder of the New Zealand doubles title with Bedford, is also competing, but if there are more than 128 entries in the singles event he may be obliged to play in the qualifying rounds before the championships. , x, . Malfroy’s form m doubles, both in the Davis Cup match with Britain and the hard court championships at Bournemouth, have been sufficiently impressive to gain him a seeding in the mixed doubles, in which event he is partnering Miss Betty Nuthall. Mrs Helen Wills-Moody is not defending her title, and a very strong entry, headed by the Americans. Miss Alice Marble and Miss Helen Jacobs, will fight for the honours in the women’s event. Although the Americans will be slightly favoured, they will meet with plenty of opposition from the wonderfully steady German player, Fraulein H. Sperling, from the hard-hitting Pole, Mlle Panna Jedrezjowska. and the experienced French woman, Mme Mathieu, who recently beat the Polish player in the final of the French championships. Several of the English girls are capable of extending the frontrankers, and may cause upsets. ’ Particular interest will be taken in Mrs D. Little, who is reported to be competing again. Mrs Little won the singles in 1934 and 1937 as Miss Dorothy Round. Miss J. Nicoll, the junior champion, will also be watched with interest, for a great tennis career has been predicted for her and she has been hailed by some as another Suzanne Lenglen.