LAWN TENNIS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16365, 2 March 1921, Page 3

LAWN TENNIS.

NEWS AND NOTES, The visit of the American Davis Cup team hfu* shown up the weakness of our players in singles h\ no uncertain fashion, (soys a- writer in the Sydney “Sun”). Six singles were played, and only three sets came our way, one by Brookes against Tilden, and two by Heath against Washburn. It is only fair to say that O’Hara-Wood impressed all the followers of the game greatly by his showing against Johnston. The latter, in my mind, played his best 'game in Sydney, and he had all he t could do to shake O'Hara-Wood off. 'O’Hara-Wood should be selected thi3 year for a certainty, and a trip abroad, with its constant practice in first-class company would put the finish on his tennis education. Hawkes is a promising player, hut his weak back-hand puts him at present out of international class. The Americans are past masters in this matter of speed ; their driving, service, and smash are of the highest class- Their visit to Australia will do a. Ist of good to the. game, and it is not only their playing that is worthy of emulation, but the - sportsmanlike way in which they play tho game. Comparing Tilden and Brookes on their play in Melbourne, and judging by the results of their battles (singles and doubles) in Sydney, 1 am wondering whether Tilden will be as good as the present Brookes twenty years hence (writes a Sydney “Bulletin” correspondent). Considering how Beals W right. M’Loughlin and other hard hitters have faded out during Brookes’ career, I feel that Tilden 5 s energy and temperament will be fatal to any long supremacy in international tennis. Just now he is wonderful. But tho amount of venom he gets into his service and hard driving shots is bound to use up his resources of youth and power and retire him from the worldbeaters in a. short term of years- His temperament will also hasten his finish, for apparently it is only the impassive champion who endures. Consider Brookes, imperturbable in any disaster, and hoarding his nerve and courage for this crisis in a game. Even at his age his wrist work and delicacy of touch can drive Tilden to desperate manoeuvres to avoid losing position. Tho way Brookes played with Tilden in the doubles in Melbourne, ironically emphasising Tiklen’s dictum to keep worrying the weaker man, was a revelation of tlie genius of the true placehitter opposed to a stroke-player" of the newest school. Tiklen is at his top as a stroke-player now, but the enormous amount of ginger required for his game will inevitably weaken his wallop at a stage of development when our own Brookes was still the wonder of the world. If Brookes were ten years younger, whfch would be still giving the Yankee two or years. \ beTTeve lie would beat Tilden under anv conditions. Apart from his strength and technique, he would knock out the Yank by his superior brains. NORTH REACH CLUB. One, of the most jiopular week-end courts this season is that at North Bench, near the seaward end of Jubilee Avenue. The surroundings are delightful. the waves are only a. few yards away, and the whole place lias been laid out with a view to future developments as well as to present requirements. Over forty guests were present the other dav, when the president. (Mr R. Leekie) and Mrs Leckie entertained players mid frauds to afternoon tiki- Many enj'oyaible vsets were played, one of the most interesting being a doubles, in which Messrs A. R. Blank, B. B. Wood, N. Sboplierd and R. Jackie, sen. took part. &oiiip of the rallies caused great excitement. and a. particularly fine double-handed recovery shot by the popular president won warm cheers. Gramophone selections varied the proceedings at intervals. ENGLISH NOTES. (Special to the “Star.”) LONDON. January 13. The success of America in the lawn tennis Davis Cup was not much concern of ours, but as lookers on it had a good deal of significance for us. In the first place the defeat: of Gerald Patterson both by Tilden and Johnson indicates rather unhappily the disparity between English form and that in both America, and Australasia. It is probable that Patterson has gone off as compared with his display at. Wimbledon in 1919. when he achieved a run-away victory in the championship. On that occasion he defeated all-comers not only by the severity of his play but by its accuracy. At the same time, however. defects were then noticed, but thef trouble was that none of our players were capable of exploiting them- Patterson is magnificent overhead, killing balls with deadly accuracy from any position on the courts. His service, too. is terrific, whilst lie* a Iso volleys exceedingly well from a low angle. Hjs forehand drive is also good, and it is only when von get him on the backhand that he begins to falter. Patterson plays his backhand strokes in a wav that, is not good. He strikes the hall with the same side of the racquet that is in use on the forehand, and it is true to sav that there lias never been a really first-class player who has adopted this method. Still. Patterson was good enough to heal all his British rivals, and the outlook from an international point of view is made still worse, on this side hv the ease with which he was defeated bv the two Americans. But there are good reasons for a recovery in English play* The game was never more popular than at the present time, nor were there ever so many players. The only thing which retards development is the want of expert coaching*in the clubs. Most players have to relv on their own good instincts as to what is right and wrong and it is not surprising that they commit faults of style which ' remain a handicap ever afterwards. And a habit w'hieh is so easily acquired is only got out of with the utmost difficulty. The T/.T.A have for some time been urged to appoint official conches to visit the clubs and give advice. They have not adopted this plan yet. probably on account of restricted revenue, but the association is more financially prosperous now than it has been for many years, and it, is hoped that it may soon be possible to provide. the coaching which is absolutely essential if British lawn tennis is to he lifted to the standard which obtained in both America and Australasia. Though a new site has been obtained, it will not. of course, he rcadv for the championships this rear, and thev will be held on th c classic courts at 'Wimbledon. This, as usual, will take place in June, when the grass championships of the world will be decided. It is really wonderful what interest these arouse. The announcement was made the other day that every reserved seat for the whole of the tournament, which lasts a fortnight, or longer, had been .sold-