THE NEXT WIMBLEDON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 66, 19 March 1938, Page 4

THE NEXT WIMBLEDON

WOMEN WILL OCCUPY THE THE STAGE NO MEN STARS PROM OVERSEAS. Although the Wimbledon lawn tennis championships will be shorn of stars from overseas in the men's events, I do not think there is any fear of a slump, writes a London correspondent. As I have previously stated, there has been a complete sellout of tickets for the fortnight, and the greatest gathering of women players the game has known will sustain the interest of the public. It is definitely known that there will be no men from Australia, since it has been decided to enter the Davis " Cup team in the American zone. Their plan is to devote all their time to winning the Cup in the United States. It is doubtful, too, whether Donald Budge will come over to defend his title. While he has promised to assist America to defend the Cup, it is taken for granted that he will then follow Fred Perry into the professional ranks. In these circumstances he may lack the inventive to play at Wimbledon. I am told, too, that G. von Cramm, the German, and the best player in Europe, may also be absent, having made other engagements. But I do not think that America will entirely abandon the tournament, and there will also be the usual entry of’European players. But the women are likely mainly to occupy the stage. All the crack American players will be here to compete for the Wightman Cup, and in addition teams are being sent from both Australia and South Africa. Truly the winner of the championship will be able to claim to be the best player in the world. The English girls have already gone into serious training for the Cup match. Mrs. King has been appointed captain, and Miss Betty Nuttall as an adviser to the selection committee. At the present time the players from whom the team will be chosen are practising twice a week on the covered courts Queen's Club, and they have been provided with a physical culture expert to assist them to got fit. This is the first time preparations for the match have been made on these thorough lines, and it is hoped not only that the standard of play will be improved, but. that the girls will acquire the will to win which the fit player should always possess.