LAWN TENNIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 100, 30 April 1938, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS

DAVIS CUP TOURNEY BIENNIAL COMPETITION? STRONG U.S.A. CRITICISM The United States have always been bitterly opposed to any scheme for the alteration of the present Davis Cup system, but in spite of this, South Africa’s scheme for biennial tournaments instead of the present annual ones has not caused American officials any worry until this year.

South Africa’s scheme, however, is now gaining a bigger measure of support, and this state of affairs has also brought forth severe criticism from eminent American tennis authorities.

The biennial scheme is now suported, among others, by England, Australia, and Germany. America is most perturbed at the change in view points of these leading countries, particularly England. English support for the scheme has greatly shocked American tennis officials, and aroused some bitter comment.

Some American newspapers are most sardonic in their criticism of England. Some go so far as to suggest that .owing to the poor standard of her Davis Cup players, she is endeavouring to avoid overwhelming defeats each year. Wimbledon Would Suffer England’s change of viewpoint so soon after losing the Davis Cup leaves the way open for such criticism, but it is unwarranted just the same. America is leaving no stone unturned to offset the strong support that will be accorded the biennial scheme at the Council of Davis Cup nations in London next June. Naturally her delegates to the meeting have strict instructions to strongly oppose South Africa’s twoyearly scheme. In addition to this she has written directly to all the Davis Cup nations requesting their support in opposing the biennial plan.

Six reasons have been submitted why the yearly competition should continue. In summarised form they are as follow: — (1) That annual play assures continuous public interest. (2) That there is no reason why a nation not wishing to challenge in any year should preclude other*

from challenging. (3) That the prestige of the Davis Cup contest would be lost if it

was played every two years. (4) That a contest every two years would seriously shorten the ac-

tive years of Davis Cup players. (5) That biennial play would encourage the growth of profes

sional tennis. (6) That Mr. Dwight Davis, the donor of the Cup seriously opposes biennial play. At lirst glance it appears that

U.S.A, has concisely put very strong reasons before the various nations in opposition to the two-yearly scheme.

However, there are other angles worthy of consideration. Take their first season. It certainly is hard to imagine that interest in the Davis Cup would abate if the competition was held every two years. Cricket tests between England ano Australia eventuate only every two years (alternately in the two countries), and these contests create an ever increasing interest. Might Prevent Foregone Conclusions. Then again, once a nation wins the Davis Cup in the present circum-

stances it completely dominates the competition for some years. It is quite likely that a two-yearly scheme would change this state of affairs. The longer break would create a greater atmosphere of speculation regarding prospects, as against the “foregone conclusion’’ feeling that now exists regarding the Davis Cup. America’s second reason is somewhat unsound, too. What would be the position if two or three of the strongest nations decided not to challenge in the same year? This circumstance is a definite possibility, and the competition would be devoid of any interest at all. A biennial scheme would almost surely ensure the participation of every nation in the competition.

The third reason is bound up with the first. Biennial cricket tests do not cause a loss of prestige to these fixtures. Therefore, why should biennial Davis Cup contests affect the prestige of this competition. America’s fourth and fifth reasons can be considered in conjunction. With the possible exception of ill health, the lure of professionalism is the biggest element in shortening the active years of Davis Cup stars. International championship pla> brings the best players of the amateur world into this arena, where are displayed their tennis ability, sportsmanship, etc., together with their capacity for drawing big crowds. At present this occurs yearly, and gives the “professional promoters’' ample opportunity to sum up the! present and future possibilities of the world’s amateur stars.