SAYS LADIES’ TENNIS IS GOING BACK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18056, 17 January 1927, Page 7

SAYS LADIES’ TENNIS IS GOING BACK.

MEN SHOULD HELP MORE, MISS MAY SPEIRS DECLARES. LADIES’ CHAMPIONSHIP TENNIS WAS POOREST SHE HAS EVER SEEN. “Ladies’ tennis in New Zealand is slipping back. Why? Because the men think only of themselves, and will not spare a little time to help the ladies along. It’s a great pity, and the men ought to realise it.”

Miss May Speirs. who returned to Christchurch yesterday, after being defeated in the New* Zealand Ladies’ Singles Tennis Championship at Auckland, made this statement to-day. She declared that the ladies’ tennis at the championships was the poorest championship tennis she had ever seen, that the Auckland weather conditions were not favourable to good play, and that she considered herself lucky to reach the final in the ladies’ singles. POOR THROUGHOUT. “It was very poor tennis throughout, so far as the ladies were concerned.” Miss Speirs declared. “People might think that 1 am saying this because I didn’t win. But I really mean it. Miss Howe was the most consistent. She played the best, tennis right through, but she was nothing startling.” Miss Speirs attributed the generally poor standard of play to the small entries in the • ladies’ section, but said that it was never more evident that the services of coaches were required to help the ladies along. HELPING THEM. “It. is a pity that the men doil’t take more interest in the ladies,” she said. “They don’t seem to care. It is not only in Christchurch, but everywhere else in New Zealand. Miss Howe didn't get in any good practice before the championships. Of course, I personally can’t grumble; but there arc Others who must not be forgotten. “I think the trouble is that the men just don't cafe. They are all too interested in themselves. Ladies’ tennis is falling bad-:. That is evident. It will continue to fall back unless something is done.” Speaking of a ladies’ team going to Australia, Miss Speirs said that she didn't know who would get into such a team, for, in her opinion, there were not four decent lady tennis players in the Dominion. “ ALL TALK.” “Yes, a coach is needed,” Miss Speirs said. “But, then, if there were a coach, I I don’t suppose that many ladies would | take advantage of the opportunity to improve their tennis. I must confess I that I prefer to find things out for myself. Anyhow, it has been all talk so far. I don’t suppose we’ll ever get a coach. It rests with the men if the ladies are to become any good at all.” Miss Speirs said that, despite the fact that there had been three wet days at the commencement of the championships, the courts were in good order. She, however, had been in bad form. “Yes, 1 was very lucky to .get into the finals,” she said. “It certainly wasn’t because I played good tennis. Miss Howe thoroughly deserved her win. SOMETHING IN THE AIR. “Auckland is not a good place for visiting tennis players. There is something in the air that makes one feel hopeless. It affected me that way, and it affected all the other visitors, too. It was just the same with the men as with the ladies. “There were no really good players amongst the ladies. None of them impressed me. Miss Howe’s tennis wasn’t really good. It would have been luck, no matter who had won. But. as I say, she deserved her win from me. “Malfroy was marvellous,” Miss Speirs said. “Knott .and Sturt are also two brilliant players. They are all young and all very promising. Don France was the most disappointing amongst the men. I thought he was going to win the championship this year. But Auckland, as I have said. Is not the place for visiting tennis players. T can never play there. I certainly won the Auckland Championship after the New Zealand Championships had been played. I suppose that was because I had had the responsibility of defending the title lifted from my shoulders. One feels weighed down when one is defending a title. When it is all over—it doesn't matter whether you win or lose—it’s a great relief. I hope Miss Howe comes here for the provincial championships—l hope to beat her then.”