WIMBLEDON LAWN TENNIS

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1933, Page 7

WIMBLEDON LAWN TENNIS

REMARKABLE ATTENDANCES.

MRS. WILLS-MOODY SUPREME.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) London, July 6. Wimbledon, with its usual good luck in the matter of weather, promises to break all previous records. On every day-of the first week the centre court had to be closed before play began, and while the attendance never dropped below 25,000, it was three times over 30,000. The popularity of lawn tennis is truly wonderful, and while there may, be some who visit the championships as they would a social function, as in the case of Henley Regatta, the galleries are mainly composed of players or old _ players. The King and Queen have paid two visits, following the play with dose interest.

But English players do not seem able to achieve the results which one imagines to be possible. For instance, Fred Perry played brilliantly until he met Menzel, < : the tall Spaniard, and then he went down before an opponent whom he had beaten three weeks before in the Davis Cup. H. W. Austin had a similar'experience. He was one of the last eight, but was beaten by Japan’s representative, J. Satoh. Austin was successful against Satoh at Wimbledon last year, and moreover, had claimed an advantage in the Davis Cup tie, in which England dismissed Japan and qualified to meet Australia in the final of the European zone. The chief fault of English players seems to be a want of consistency, and I think this can be traced to a weakness in concentration. They are not ruthless enough. Having gained an ascendency over an opponent, they are inclined to take matters easily, and allow the latter > to recover. In this way, even when they win, they make matters difficult for themselves. . ' I do not think that Vines is in his allconquering form of last year, although we know that he has a wonderful capacity to rise to the occasion. On the other hand Jack Crawford, the Australian, who recently won the French championship, seems to have a great chance to capture the title. (Crawford subsequently won the title.—Ed.) Mrs. Helen Wills-Moody is still supreme among the women. . This is definite. No one has even taken a set off her, or looked like doing so. In the circumstances, the best hope is that England will supply her opponent in the final. Miss Round lias the chance to meet the champion in the deciding match, but she must first remove Mis* Helen Jacobs, America’s No. 2 player, who plays all her shots ■ with a pro nounced.fiut.aafl.w.diffifiuU