WOMEN’S TENNIS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20669, 6 March 1937, Page 16 (Supplement)

WOMEN’S TENNIS

Mr Wallis Myers, in London “D.T.,” discussing a rumour that the visit to England of the Australian women’s lawn tennis team had fallen through, made some cogent and appreciative comments. The projected visit did lose official glow, but thanks to the N.S.WL.T.A. people the embers reddened again, and the ALTA, is reconsidering the matter. “The Lawn Tennis Association,” wrote Mr Myers, "I understand, have received no confirmation of the report from Sydney that the Australian governing body have decided against an Australian women’s team coming to England and Wimbledon in 1937. “The L.T.A. here have not only welcomed the projected tour; they have offered in advance to contribute £250 towards the expenses which, it is almost safe to say, would be covered by the gates at the various international matches provisionally arranged. Appeal to Mr Brookes “The report of any hitch comes somewhat as a surprise, and everybody with whom I conversed expressed the hope that a way would be found—even the promise of a bigger guarantee, if money were the difficulty, which it is not thought to be—to make the visit of the Australian women an accomplished fact. “Apart from the natural interest excited at Wimbledon bf the advent of these girls—one of whom was good enough to deprive Miss Round of the championship two years ago, and two others who are equal in calibre to Miss Hartigan—it is felt that the recent demonstration of British Commonwealth unity would be aptly illustrated by the reception of a delegation of youthful Australian champions at the games’ headquarters. "The acceptance by King George V., then Prince of Wales, of the AU-Eng-land Club presidency in 1907 synchronised with the first victory of an Australian player at Wimbledon.

“It would surely be a happy sequel if, 30 years later, Mr Norman Brookes, the first oversea' champion, could signalise his presidency of the Australian Association by entering a team of young Australians, men and women, at the first Wimbledon in the new reign, which it is expected the King and Queen will attend.”