Half Volleys

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

Half Volleys

“If New Zealand had had an -English or an American coach 10 years ago, we would be sending away Davis Cup teams - now,” said Geoff Ollivier the other dixy.

For the first time for. many seasons, if not in her tennis career, Mrs. R. P. Adams has defeated Miss M. Tracy on a hard court surface. Mrs. Adams, No. 2 ranking player on the Wellington Association ladder, challenged Miss Tracy for first place. Mrs. Adams -won, 6—B, 6-r—o,-. 6 —3.. ■ While lie was in Toronto Gerald Patterson, the veteran Australian lawn tennis player, announced that he would give up the game for golf after the United States tournament. Patterson is suffering from “boursitis,” the medical term for a crippled elbow joint, which is far more severe than mere tennis-elbow. Gerald Patterson was born in 1896. Alter years of play in Australia, he went to England for tournaments in 1919, becoming champion by his defeat’ of Norman Brookes. He lost the title to TiTden in 1920, but regained it in 1922. At this year's Wimbledon tournament, Patterson was suffering pain in his elbow joint, but he recovered sufficiently to play in the doubles with Hawkes. Patterson is still one of the greatest doubles players in the world. He won his early championships largely by his terrific service; which, until Tilden countered ft and showed his backhand weakness, was the greatest in the world

It was stated the other day that Francis Hunter, in practice with Miss Helen Wills, had only managed to win at B—6, 6 —4-, and that he was prepared to wager that the American woman champion could beat all or any of the last Australian Davis Cup team. H. L. Doherty practised with Mrs. Chambers and beat her easily, even giving her heavy odds. Mrs. Chambers was good in a single. Recall that encounter at Wimbledon when she wanted only one stroke to beat Mile. Lenglen. Or let us take the case of Mile. Lenglen herself. Colonel Mayes has played her often in practice and has invariably won, and woji easily with the loss of no more than two games in a set. Again, Colonel Mayes has placed and beaten Miss Ryan, owing her 30. There are many players who can beat Colonel Mayes.