STEDMAN IMPRESSES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19626, 21 October 1933, Page 16

STEDMAN IMPRESSES

PLAY AT WIMBLEDON The play of A. C. Stedman, the brilliant Aucklander, has made quite an impression in England. Stedman, it will be remembered, made a promising debut at Wimbledon and was beaten only by Crawford. “The Times" declares that "after Wilding and Andrews he is the best player that New Zealand has produced,” while the “Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News" makes the following reference

to the New Zealander: —“Alan Stedman, who must be congratulated on winning the North of England championship at Scarborough last week, has lawn tennis in his blood. His father is a keen student of the game. His son showed great promise as a junior player, and won the New Zealand championship in 1930. Before sailing for England with Andrews, Stedman defeated Malfroy, who has taken up business in his native land after winning many lawn tennis laurels in this country. Stedman is said by a connoisseur of lawn tennis in New Zealand to have possessed more natural skill than either Andrews or Malfroy at the same age.

When in Auckland J. B. Crawford also paid a tribute to Stedman. “He was suffering from laryngitis when I beat him,” Crawford said, “but he and Andrews played magnificently to defeat Turnbull and Quist in the doubles. They lobbed with excellent judgment, and, in my opinion, performed remarkably well, especially in view of the subsequent successes of their opponents. Stedman shows definite promise in some respects. His driving and service are strong, but he seems to lack subtlety and variety in his game. However, he may improve further.”