BRITISH TENNIS OUTLOOK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 126, 29 May 1937, Page 14

BRITISH TENNIS OUTLOOK

WIMBLEDON AND DAVIS CUP

STAN DOUST FAVOURS BRITAIN

Stanley N. Doust, old Australian Davis Cup player, has been in England for several years working at journalism in Fleet Street. This is what he has to say about Wimbledon and Davis Cup prospects. He refers to Britain as “our.” What a different season British awn tennis is facing this year! Perry has gone, and while he has oeen making his thousands from profesisonal tennis in the United States, new young stars all over the world have been piling on the points till now they are a serious challenge to British supremacy.

Our players—both men and women —lf they are to pull the Wimbledon prizes out of the fire, have got to produce a form better than any wc have yet seen them display. “Perry and Austin”! These two names have been linked together for so long as the bulwark of our lawn tennis prestige—and always in that order, “Perry and Austin.” Now only Austin remains, and on his shoulders rests the great responsibility of holding the fort against all the world players. I think he likes that responsibility. Although the season has not advanced far, Austin is now in better form than ever. He looks well trained and I have never seen him so cheerful. But about Austin or any other Britis player winning at Wimbledon, I have strong doubts. As regards the Davis Cup I am more hopeful. Let me start with Wimbledon. In the first place it lasts a fortnight and is much more a physical strain (although not so important or exciting) than the Davis Cup competition, which is only a three-days’ affair. It is usually very hot during the Wimbledon e fortnight, and Austin sates playing in the broiling sun. It <aps his vitality. By the time the second week arrives he generally loses, although he has never failed to turn the tables on his Wimbledon conqueror when they have met three weeks later in the Davis Cup. Reluctantly, then. I give the Wimbledon championships to overseas players because, good as are our young promising competitions such as D. Butler. M. Deloford, R. Shaves, L. Shaffi, and C. M. Jones, they have not yet arrived at the international stage. Nor do I think G. P. Hughes, C. E. i Hare, F. H. D. Wilde, and C. R. D. Tuckey (players already selected to train with Austin for this year s Davis Cup match) have any more chance of taking Perry’s place as the Wimbledon winner than the young men mentioned. Likely Champions. Who, then, will win at Wimbledon? Donald Budge, the tall 22-year-old. red-haired Californian; Adrian Quist, the dour little Australian who beat Austin in the chi-iienge round, and very nearly beat Perry in the same .•natch last year; G. von Cramm, the German player who is credited with having the best court manners of any player in the world; H. Henkel, another German who has twice beaten von Cramm this year; and Sydney Wood, of the United States, who won the championship in 1931 these lames at once spring to my mind as >eing the most likely to provide the 1937 champion.

Young Jack Bromwich, the 17-year-old Australian who serves righthanded, takes the ball in his left court with his left hand, and uses two hands for a forehand drive, and Vivian McGrath, the two-handed backhand Australian player, may spring surprises. They have beaten both Quist and Crawford this season in Australia. Then, of course, there is Jack Crawford himself. With Perry out of the way, he might regain the crown he won in 1933. Davis Cup Hope. Now. for the Davis Cup, I am an optimist. In this match there are five rubbers, four singles and one double. Austin will be required to play two of the singles and no more. The other singles player has not yet been selected, nor has the doubles pair been decided on. Why should we be able to retain the Davis Cup this year? I believe things will work out this way:— Austin will win both his singles, whatever country challenges Britain. Of the remaining three rubbers Britain should at least win one, and victory is then ours. And now about the women stars. To find the Wimbledon Singles champion we have to discover. I think, the girl who can beat Mme. Sperling, the former Fraulein Krahwinkel, who was last year’s finalist. The public will see this year for the first time Miss Alice Marble, of California. who deprived Miss Helen Jacobs of her American title last September. Miss Marble is very tall, extremely graceful, and hits the ball harder than many men. She stands a very good chance, indeed. but there are others. Miss Jacobs, the present holder, desnite her defeat by Mme. Mathieu in the recent Greek championship, will take a lot of beating. I am not despondent, either, about our own players. Miss Dorothy Round, Miss K. Stammers, and Miss M. Hardwick are a very strong trio, all hard hitters and clour fighters. Senorita Anita Lizana is to be considered. too. But Mme. Sperling has the beating of them all. V.lnnlng Shots. This very tall woman has been the jlO-miles cross-country running champion of Germany, and is, therefore, able to cover the court quicker and maintain her stamina longer than most players. This advantage, allied to her long reach, relentless steadiness, and ability to force winning shots, makes her a most formidable opponent. Our players’ nest would beat the German woman, but, unfortunately lack of consistency has too often been the downfall of British hopes. In the doubles our women can, and should win. Miss Freda James and Miss K. Stammers are the holders of this title, and they are likely to retain it. The Davis Cup, then, and the Women's Doubles at Wimbledon, look fairly sure British victories.

For the rest it is up to our young players to produce the brilliant form which could carry us to success in this Coronation year, when, of all times we should strive our utmost to lead the world.