“COPY FRANCE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 510, 13 November 1928, Page 15

“COPY FRANCE”

NORMAN BROOKES’S ADVICE TRAINING YOUNG PLAYERS “Train your young players as France has done,” is the advice given to Australia by Mr. NorrHan Brookes, president of the Australian Lawn Tennte Council, after an absence of seven months. “It would be a good thing to place moro tennis courts in parks in Australian cities, and to engage professionals to assist young players,” said Mr. Brookes. “It is difficult to gauge the future of Australian tennis, but 1 see no reason why we should not produce more champions. At the French

headquarters in Paris there are 30 courts, and they are crowded from early morning until night by young players whose ages range from eight to 17 years. The players are instructed by professionals, and numbers of them, both boys and girls,' are showing good form and style. Britain has started a movement to foster sport, and tennis is receiving a great deal of attention. Sir Arthur Crosfield is behind the movement, and much good work is being accomplished.” Referring to the form of Crawford and Hopman, Mr. Brookes said tha>t they should benefit from their tour, but there was a risk that they might become stale. He expressed the opinion that they were a match for the younger players such as Lott and Hennessy (United States), and in two or three years should be the equal of any players in the world. Interest in tennis was keen on the Continent, particularly in Germany. The Germans were anxious to play the Australians.