TENNIS CHAMPION

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXV, Issue 3265, 5 February 1935, Page 5

TENNIS CHAMPION

IN ACTION AT HAMILTON P. J. PERRY'S EXHIBITION OF GAME (Independent Special Reporter), Waikato tennis enthusiasts had an opportunity to see the world's tennis champion, F. J. Perry, in action oil Saturday, when he played three exhibition matches on the Rosstrevor Street courts at Hamilton. In the exhibition doubles Perry and'" Livingstone, of Waikato, were matched against Kay and R. Ewin, of Victoria. The Victorians were the victors in three .sets, (s—l, 1—6,. 6—3. Playing in a singles against. Kay Perry defeated his opponent by two straight sets. Miss Mueller, the Waikato ladies' singles champion, partnered Perry against Miss Margaret Beverley and Kay in a combined doubles match, which was abandoned owing to heavy rain after Perry and Miss Mueller won by ft games to 4 in the first- set. In the singles the most noticeable feature of the. champion's play was* that he hardly moved about the cottrt at all, while his opponent Kay, of Victoria, was on the run continually. Perry's unerring accuracy brought him many points. It was only on rare occasions that he was off his balance af 1 ter returning a shot, and then his recovery was always gained with the utmost celerity. Sense of Anticipation Another most striking feature pi' the* play was Perry's wonderful powers of anticipation. Invariably he was in position to receive his opponent's- ■■. shots. He possesses an uncanny sense of knowing when his opponent's ballsare going out, thus avoiding a superfluity of running across the court to> strike. Snap Shots of the Champion Perry continually wiping his forehead, a mannerism he used when playing against F. T. Shields, of U.S.A. r atWimbledon, when he gained the Wimbledon title. » ♦ • The umpire being corrected by Perry who jocularly objected to gaining a point wrongfully. n*■ , * The champion's knack of gathering three balls in the one hand. When his first service is right Perry continues to play clasping the remaining pair in his hand. ■ v y ;'■ •' * * » The look of chagrin on Perry's facewhen Ewin beat him with one of his lightning services. » * * Kay's fine work at the net. « » • Livingstone receiving a word of praise and a slap on the back from Perry at the conclusion of the doubles. * * * Perry's remark after his bout with Kay: "The trouble is, it is too ■ hot!"

NEW ZEALAND HEAT In a chat with an "Independent" reporter Mr Beg. Ewin, of Victoria, drew a comparison between the heat experienced in New Zealand, and that which he knew in his own country. "During the Centenary celebrations I played one day for two hours in a temperature well above tfhat of to-day, which is about 94, and I came off the courts showing no sign of perspiration. But to-day after a quarter of an hour I found my clothes wringing wet,"' said Mr Ewin.