DAVIS CUP STARS SEEN IN ACTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19267, 2 January 1931, Page 14

DAVIS CUP STARS SEEN IN ACTION.

HOPMAN HAS IMPROVED; CRAWFORD LACKS PEP.

Play in the recent Victorian championships gave tennis enthusiasts an opportunit3 r of seeing the extent of the improvement of Crawford and Hopman after their recent tour with the Australian Davis Cup team. Of the two, Hopman seems to have derived the greater benefit as far as stroke production is concerned, and the one outstanding weakness in his game .before he went a wav, his backhand drive, has been considerably strengthened (writes P. O’Hara Wood in the "Globe”). The improvement in Hopman’s backhand stroke is very noticeable. Twelve months ago Hopman avoided his backhand whenever possible and constantly got out of position through running round it to take the ball on his forehand, and it was only his extreme quickness on his feet that saved him from getting into trouble. When forced to play a backhand he made a semi-defensive shot with a cramped action, and this stroke was not nearly on a par with the rest of his game. Now he plays the ball on his left wing with a freer style and can place it equally well —down the line or across court —and, what is more, he is not afraid to go for his shot. Stamina Needed.

The elimination of this defect on his backhand has moulded his game into an excellent all-round one without a weakness. On the other hand, apart from his quickness, keenness and determination, he has no outstanding strength, and it is this lack of any match-winning stroke, combined with a not over robust phy-sique, that may possibly prevent him from reaching the very' topmost heights. Hopman is slim and decidedly - on the small side, and though this absence of weight helps him in his speed about the court, he loses in power and stamina, and a hard-fought five set singles on a hot day is liable to find him out. The phy-sical strain in doubles is not nearly so great, and it is in this department that Hopman is more likely, to make a name for himself, as his quickness and anticipation will prove invaluable. With only - half the court to look after, he can concentrate on getting to the net "without so much fear of being passed, and once there his volleying will more than hold its own. It is much harder to form an opinion about Crawford. Before he went away this year he appeared capable of beating anybody when on his game. He made all his shots with an effortless ease and had marvellous control over the ball. He had no weakness for an opponent to attack, and though his footwork was not good he counterbalanced this with a powerful wrist and accurate timing. He had plenty of stamina, and his style of game took very little out of him. The majority of his errors and poor shots seemed to be due to his own carelessness, and this apparently is the main reason why he did not do so well abroad as his supporters hoped and expected. Puzzling Manner. On the court Crawford gives the appearance of listlessness, and he seems to lack concentration and the ability or inclination to keep forcing the attack, in very marked contrast to Hopman, who is on the go all the time. It is difficult to understand this lackadaisical manner of Crawford’s on the court, as he undoubtedly is keen, and he has frequently proved his fighting qualities by coming from behind to win a match by a display of faultless tennis. It was hoped that this last trip abroad would do a lot towards getting rid of this apparent casualness on the court, but he still seems to be the same Crawford as before he went away. He still has wonderful control over the ball, and his shots are made without effort, but he still lacks the power of constant concentration and determination which probably is all that Is needed to make him a world beater. If he could only get a little of Hopman’s “ pep ” and Schlesinger’s concentration, there is no knowing to what heights he might rise. There is no doubt that he is a good tennis play-er. Some of his results show that, but, on the other hand, .some of his failures bear out the idea that he is lacking in concentration and determination. Bcooklands Crash. Three sandbanks which formed an “S” bend, and had been placed on Brookiands track “in order to make the event safe for spectators and competitors ”, were said to be the cause of the fatal accident to Mr A. S. S. Walter in the Brighton road race there recently. It was stated at the inquest at Weybridge that it was necessary for drivers, to slow down to negotiate the sandbanks. Mr Walter’s car was taking the third bank when it skidded. In order to rectify it he locked the wheels, but the back wheel struck the bank and collapsed and the car went over, somersaulted, and came to rest with the driver underneath. A verdict of “ death from misadventure ” was returned. :< Len Harvey, Ltd. Probably for the first time in history a boxer has registered himself as a limited liability company. The distinction belongs to Len Harvey. the British middle-weight champion. According to Messrs Jordan and Sons, Len Harvey, Ltd., has been registered as a private company, “to engage the services of L. A. Harvey (subject to his existing obligations, if any), and to carry on the business of boxing promoters, and exhibitors of athletic shows, etc.” The nominal capital of the company is £IOOO in £1 shares, and L. A. Harvey is permanent managing director. One unparalleled element in Don Bradman’s cricket is that in his perspective there is neither limitation to achievement nor adherence to any rule of thumb idea. For instance if he had opened the second innings for New South Wales against Queensland in Sy'dnev, he would not have reduced the game to a barndoor affair with time. While the sun shone and the wicket was perfect he would have tried to win the match before the day closed. What a colossal difference between that outlook on a game and the one disclosed by the tactics of those who did bat that day. In the speed of his rungetting, without degenerating into slogging or mere big-hitting, he scores very' fast, through the great power of his shots, and their placing and the use he makes of his feet in getting to the ball.