TENNIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 279, 25 November 1931, Page 4

TENNIS

I— (Bn "HALF VOLLEY:')S

Save for the heavy rain last weekend and a few showers since then, the weather has been on its best behaviour during recent weeks, with the result that tennis enthusiasts have been able to get in a good deal of practice in preparation for forthcoming tournaments. The rain would do a great deal of good to all grass courts, refreshing them as well as allowing them to have a rest. « X » * • • Players who intend entering for the New Year tournament, should concentrate on their training in order to be physically fit to go through to the finals —if they are fortunate enough to reach that stage. Physical fitness is just as desirable in lawn tennis as it is in any other branch of sport, but it is often overlooked by players, much to their cost in a strenuously-contested final. Another matter of importance is that of pairing up for tournament doubles so that there will be complete understanding and team work by the rime the tourney commences. Many enter without partners. This should not be so with local players. In pairing entrants who have not nominated partners, the committee always allots partners to visitors first. Local players are therefore advised to avoid the risk of being left without a partner, while they will at the same time save the committee unnecessary work.

Owing to the rain there was no play at the Wanganui East courts on Saturday, nor over the week-end, the courts being well soaked. This will do the grass courts a great deal of good. Some handicap games-will no doubt be played during the week. The class of instruction being conducted by Mr. Lewis every Tuesday evening is of great help to beginners and will be continued. The additions to the membership this season number just short of the half-century, while there will be several more new members elected in the next few days. In order to assist the finances of the club a special united effort is being made by members and it is hoped that this will prove of considerable assistance to the funds.

Malfroy beat Wilde in two sets, says the Manchester Guardian of the Scarborough tournament. In the first Malfroy overwhelmed Wilde, who could do little right with his forehand and less with his backhand. In the second set Wilde played the fine tennis of which he is capable and made Malfroy really fight. Malfroy showed himself as a very complete player from service to drop shot. That service, for instance, is a good one, delivered with nice swing and body rotation; on occasion it has real pace and always it is sent down with a proper appreciation of placement. Practice in good company tends to eradicate the tendency to serve the loose second delivery, for the first-class player is almost sure to wore off a “dolly drop,” if not at the first blow then very soon afterwards.

Malfroy in action conveys the impression of a young man. very much in a hurry. There is none of that indolent procession to the base-line to take up position for the next shot as seen in Olliff or Sharpe, but, instead, a hurried walk, sometimes a trot, and, as often as not, there is Malfroy all ready and the other man not. Wilde might infuse into his game some of Mai f toy’s restless energy, for Wilde has a tendency to be too deliberate, although, of course, the stroke player is able to convey that impression on occasion when it is really not justified.

Harada, who will be a member of the Japanese team to visit Australia this season, learned the fine points of lawn tennis in America when Tilden and Johnston were in their prime. Harada has beaten Henri Cochet on the last three times they have met. A note from America on England’s tennis champion: “Perry has yet to acquire a champion’s indifference to the rubs of the court, and to realise that when he is battling in New York he must steel his nerves against the crowd’s quest of a level contest.” The Auckland ranking list for the beginning of the season stands as follows: —Men: A. C. Stedman 1, E. L. Bartlcct 2, N. G. Sturt 3, M. M. Morrison 4, E. W. Griffiths 5, S. Lamb 6, V. R. Johns 7, A. K. Turner 8, W. G. Watkins 9, G. Martin 10, H. Brinsdcn 11, P. E. Potter 12, A. E. M‘Keown 13, M. T. Wilson 14, M. Robb 15, G. Rich 16.

Ladies: Miss B. Knight 7, Miss Marjorie Macfarlane 2, Miss J. E. Ramsay 3, Miss D. Newton 4, Miss M. Potter 5, Miss Marion Macfarlane 6, Miss Pet Miller 7, Miss Leslie Roberton 8, Mrs. Napier 9, Miss M. Richardson 10, Miss Fernley 11, Miss Frankham 12, Miss Ruth Taylor 13.

The rain which came over the weekend made a wonderful difference to the appearance of the Wanganui Club’s courts, which were beginning to take on a parched appearance. Of course, it was very disappointing to have no play, but the chib as a whole will certainly benefit by the interruption. The handicap events have been drawn, and are now posted up on the club pavilion. Players should get their matches off as soon as the weather permits and everyone should play at least one round in each event by next Saturday. It was recommended to the incoming committee at the last annual meeting of the club that more matches be arranged with outside cluns. The committee has this matter in view, but can only arrange such matches provided the club handicaps are got off promptly. This can only bo done if the players give the committee every assistance by playing their matches within the given times. The editor of American Lawn Tennis (Mr 8. W. Merrihow), says that America, at last, seems to have, found a successor to Tilden. He writes: “It is the general opinion that Ellsworth Vines (1931 national singles champion) is not only the logical successor to Bill Tilden, who lost his title in 1930, but also the player most likely to rival Tilden in standing out from his follows. Vinos has the all-court game, he hits cleanly ns well as powerfully, and he is sparing in his use of the chop stroke. “He has come on tremendously within a year, his game now being smooth and well rounded. His strategy is sound, and he backs it up with tactics that arouse admiration.”