Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

THE WORLD’S TITLE.

(Special to the “ Star.”) LONDON. February 22. For some time there has been disagreement- in international lawn tennis. America has stood aloof from the ruling body which is formed by the nations of the world. They refused to come into the fold, as it were, as a protest against the decision that the grass court championships of the world should be held in this country for the next twenty years. Now, however, there is to be an attempt to settle the dispute. The English Association have magnanimously consented to forego the right conceded them by the other nations to stage the world’s championships at W’imbledon. But the intention is not to hand the title over to America. The English proposal is to abolish it altogether on the understanding that “ it- is not instituted or revived w’ithout the consent of the International Federation, to which body the United States Association, in the new r circumstances, are now willing to affiliate.” This is the decision of the executive, but it has to .be approved by the English clubs in general meeting. At the same time another important question will he considered. This is the handing over of the laws of the game as recently revised to the Federation. To both matters sanction will probably be given, but the vote will not be unanimous. In the first place, it is not easy to forget that England is the home of lawn tennis and thatthe game has developed from this country into a world-wide pastime. As Air Roper Barrett remarks, “we were the pioneers of the game and no question of the. championships being held at Wimbledon was raised until America first won the title.” Air Barrett- also points out that the original championship cup was engraved “ The single-handed championship of the world. ’ ’ As a matter of fact the whole question is paltry. It is the game that counted, and whether the world’s

championship i s held in America or any other country is a small matter. At the same time, it is significant that every other nation except America was prepared for the world’s title to be played for at Wimbledon. OLD WIMBLEDON. (Special to the “ .Star.”) LONDON, February 15. The classic ground of the All-Eng-land Lawn Tennis Club at Wimbledon presents a sorry spectacle. All the stands have been battered to the ground and the place i« a heap ot Though the new' enclosure which was opened last summer is much more convenient the old one has pleasant memories. It was the scene of the triumphs ol the incomparable Dohertys, ol the Riseleys, 8. H. Smith, and other famous players. Moreover it was here that lawn tennis had its beginning a* a popular game. Now, at. has been said, the historic ground is a heap of smashed wood and iron work, and notices are conspicuously displayed that the ground is for sale. It is disappointing as well as surprising that the space has not been preserved. Surely, it night still have been used for the purpose of lawn tennis. The courts are the best in the world and one presumes that the turt will now l»e lifted and placed on -some garden lawn at a price. It might have been converted into a public slub and managed by the Wimbledon Corporation. There is little doubt that it would have been selfsupporting even if it had not been a profit-earning enterprise.

All over London and in the provinces, a s well public courts are being laid down. Thousands of people now play lawn tennis throughout the sum mei in the parks, and in the same way golf is being encouraged and fostered. Where it is not possible; to lay out full circuits, putting courses are being made. .T. H. Tnvlor lias .just undertaken the work of laying out one of these miniature golf greens in or.r* of the East End parks where golf has never been "laved before. If golf can be made to pay as a municipal enterprise at East Ham public lawn tennis would have been a big success in the flourishing suburb of Wimbledon.

This article text was automatically generated and may include errors. View the full page to see article in its original form.
Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS19230411.2.12

Bibliographic details

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17013, 11 April 1923, Page 3

Word Count
687

THE WORLD’S TITLE. Star (Christchurch), Issue 17013, 11 April 1923, Page 3

THE WORLD’S TITLE. Star (Christchurch), Issue 17013, 11 April 1923, Page 3