IMPROVEMENT IS SHOWN IN LADIES’ PLAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18062, 24 January 1927, Page 7

IMPROVEMENT IS SHOWN IN LADIES’ PLAY.

WHAT OLLIVIER THINKS OF TENNIS TOURNEY. That there has been a noticeable improvement in the play of the ladies, but that the men have not shown a corresponding improvement since the last Canterbury Uhatfnpionship Tennis Tournament is the opinion of Geoff O!- " It was a great tournament, very capably managed," declared Ollivier. “ The arrangements were first dlass, and the crowds were wonderful. The courts were not good, but still nobody is to blame for that. “As regards the standard of play, t.hrz/i wasn't, much improvement. The Auseamans didn’t teach us much. Of course, their trouble was that the courts were against them They like a fast, even surface. “ Ladies’ tennis has improved a bit. Miss Speirs, particularly, in the final of the ladies’ doubles dominated the play throughout. She made the others look beginners. Unfortunate. “As far as the men are concerned, I don’t think they have improved. Angas was unfortunate in meeting N. Peach at the top of his form. He would have improved if he had struck a weaker player in the first round. Sheppard played ’ well while he kept going, but he soon tired. Glanville played well against me. I think he is one of the hardest men to play with. lie is steady and he combines some good shots with his steadiness. “There is one very important point, and that is that some players play very good games to start With, and go off in later matches. They put out likely players in the first round, and then go to pieces themselves. My experience in tennis tournaments is that I work myself up to my best on the last day. That is not the case with all players. They go off with a “biff,’ but don’t "Yes, it was a good tournament. I am satisfied/that Reg. Browning is the best secretary we have ever had. The umpires were good and the ball-boys were wonderful. Well trained ball-boys mean a lot to the players. It's disconcerting to have the balls thrown up just when you don’t want them. But those boys know their work.” What Mr G. L. Berry Says : “I have not the slightest doubt that the standard of tennis in Canterbury has improved since the last tournament," declared Mr G. L. Berry, an umpire. “Ollivier s play impressed me particularly—he has improved considerably. He is steadier and more determined than he has been for some considerable time. Amongst :he younger players there has been a‘ noticeable improvement. “Of course, the conditions at the recent tournament were somewhat differ j cut from what the players have been 1 used to. The grass courts were not as good as they might have been. But still, that was only. to be expected considering that titfv are new. They are 1 very g'-od considering the little * time vre had to get them in order,”