DAVIS CUP MATCH.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2126, 7 December 1920, Page 6

DAVIS CUP MATCH.

PLAYERS REACH DOMINION. BOTH TEAMS AT AUCKLAND. Press Association. AUCKLAND, December 6. The American challengers for the Davis Cup, who are to play a challenge round against, the Australasian team at Auckland during the Christmas and New Year holidays, arrived by the Niagara from Vancouver. The team consists of Messrs S. H. Hardy (captain), W. t. Tilden, W. M. Johnson and Watson Washburn. Accompanying them are Mr-Hardy and Mr R. du Puy, an American who is embarking on a tour of the world and who decided, in the words of one of the team, that to see the play for tho Cup would be the very best beginning that he could m/ike. The four players state that they are in the best of health and anxious to commence practice in their now surroundings in tho endeavour to strike unmistakable form before meeting their opponents, whom they do not appear by any means disposed to hold cheaply. Mr Hardy, captain of the team, said he was not disposed to make, any predictions concerning the result of the coming stmggle. They had come here prepared to play their hardest in the effort to obtain possession of the trophy. He added that they had brought tho best that America could produce in Messrs Tilden and Johnson. Tennis, however, was the most uncertain of games. It was not safe to pass any opinion on tho form that a* player was likely to display until the nian actually stepped on to the court. His attitude was typieal of that of his companions, who were more disposed to talk of their determination to play the hardest that was possible for them than to make aoy predictions of the possible outcome of the match. Mr Hardy said it had been a' disappointment to them that Williams, who was originally solected for the doubles, had not been able to make the trip. Reorganisation of his business had claimed his attention and he was not able to leave. He also was very deeply disappointed at having to cancel his engagement. / Speaking of the cable message from Australia announcing that the team's visit to the Commonwealth would be cancelled, Mr Hardy said it had never been anticipated that Johnson would be able to go. It was just a question whether it would bo possible for Tilden to visit Australia or not. The wireless message had been "Cancel reservations," meaning to cancel the berths booked on tho ship, and not "Cancel arrangements," as it appeared in the cablegram. Reminded that Australian tennis enthusiasts had been keenly disappointed that the match was not to be played there, and would bo even more disappointed if they did not receive a visit from the team subsequently, he replied: "I know they are disappointed, and if it is by any means possible to get the boys across, I will do it." Tilden, when interviewed, declined to predict the result of the coming contest, but expressed pleasure at again meeting the Australasians. He paid a very warm tribute to Norman the Australasian .captain. Tilden said he was anxious to start practice right away. BROOKES FULL OF HOPE." PREPARED TO MEET "SUPERPLAYERS." Press Association. AUCKLAND, December 7. The Australians who comprise the Australasian team landed late last night. They are all well. In an interview Norman Brookes said they were not at all depressed and were full of hope. In 1911 they had to meet "super-players" and thoy managed to win. They hoped to do so again. Tho team, which coinprised himself, Patterson, O'Hara Wood and Heath, was the very best that could be picked. He was convinced that tho Americans would find Patterson a very different man from what ho was at Wimbledon when Tilden beat him.

Discussing the Australasian team, Brookes and Patterson said that it waß absolutely the best that could be picked. "So far as my judgment is concerned," paid Brookes, "I jiicked on merit, and nothing else." Eeferring to G. OUivier, of Christchurch, Brookes said that, on his form in Australia, he could not be given a place in the team. He was a line player, but ho had not had the opportunity of playing against stronger men. "We are full of hope," said Brookes. 'Wo have not come over depressed. The last time we came over —in 1911 — wo had to meet a team described as 'super-players.' We managed to hold our own, and we hope to do the same this year."

The team hopes to pay a visit to Eotorua if there is a su'itablo opportunity. The members of the New South Wales team which is to visit the Dominion will arrive at Wellington shortly, and after playing at Wauganui, they will como to Auckland.