LAWN TENNIS.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15033, 2 September 1922, Page 17 (Supplement)

LAWN TENNIS.

(By "Volley.”) With the wav now cleared for the Davis Cup test between Australia and America the interest of tennis enthusiasts all over the world will be centred on the appearance -of the representatives of the two countries before . the nets. The tennis giants, W. T. Tilden and W. N, Johnston, will probably be America’s chosen to defend the co\eted title The Australian tennis champion, G. L. Patterson, in a statement at Boston, said: “1 consider ft hardly worth •wh'ile to compete at Wimbledon in 1923 in view of the large expense involved, as the event is not universally recognised as a world championship contest. Business enters into the matter in a large degree. I understand that Anderson will go back next year.” An English critic’s summary of Suzanne Lenglen’s tennis: —“The present woman champion hits like a man, runs like a man—in speed and quick starting—and thinks —in a lawn tennis sense—like a man. When I add that she played most of her early lawn Itennis against them, and even now practices with them —Manuel Alonzo gave her several games in the week preceding Wimbledon—the point will, be even clearer. Against Miss McKane she ‘simply’ stood at the back of the court and drove hard, while working for a position she could score from. The ordinary woman player, even of good class, is usually quite content to cross the ball from corner to corner until sooner or later her opponent breaks down. It may not be at the first, second, or even the fourth return, but usually soon, afterwards, Lenglen, with her beautiful stroke action and perfect control varying the pace and length all the time, pushing her opponent further and further out of court, or drawing her nearer and nearer to the net until out flashes a winner, right down the line, into the far corner, or smashes straight down the centre." The Davis Cup challenge round between Australia and America will be played at Forrest Hills, West Side, near New York. The Americans have two of the greatest players In the world to-day in W. T. Tilden and W. M, Johnston, who, in the last six months, has twice beaten Tilden in clean cut fashion, so bringing their tally of wins against each other to five each Almost alongside these two in skill, on his performances, stands Vjncent Richards, the most brilliant colt the world has seen, who, at eighteen years old, is ranked almost with them. Healso this season has twice beaten Tilden, but one need not regard those results too seriously. In the doubles

Tilden and Richards will defend the Davis Cup together, and they are the %est pair in America. As fourth man for singles or doubles stands R. N. Williams; but if he is chosen to actually play, the Australians’ task will not be so severe, for, on results, he should be beaten by both Australians. As to present form, evidently Johnston is as good, ° r better, than ever* Those who saw him beat Patterson at. Auckland will remember and dread his mighty drives that annihilated Patterson’s backhand. Tilden seems this year to be below his old form, and actually is thought to be somewhat out of health. We trust not, As to Richards, we shall be confident of the Australian’s success if he plays singles, pn the doubles Australia' liould. go close to winning, whatever pair opposes them. The editor of “American Lawn Tennis,” writing editorially in May last, referred to the two great Americans, Johnston and Tilden, as “a twin Mount Everest in the Himalayan range.” . “No one will deny,” he says, “that this year, as in 1921, two men stand out like a twin' Mt. Everest in the ■Himalayan range. They are Tilden and Johnston. Although having games that are diametrically- opposed, they are so evenly matched that the slightest impulse might turn the scales. A few days ago we remarked that, in our opinion these great masters of the game, when they go on the court physioally and mentatlly fit, are so nearly equal that it is almost a toss-up which will win. Since 1919 the ‘edge’ has been with Tilden. This year Johnston has gained the ascendancy, and it is quite possible that he may reain it until the curtain rings down on the great drama that will be staged at Germantown next September. We are not betraying any secrets when we say that the anvil chorus is at work, and that many people believe that the outcome of the year’s championship meeting is as good as settled. We are not of that number. “As we said recently, there is general rejoicing over the return of Johnston to his best form. He has had a jong rest from intense competitive play, his health appears to have been restored, while, mentally he is keen and free from worries. His two vicdories over Tilden last month—and particularly the second one—have inspired him with confidence and made clear to him that he is able to duplicate his best form, perhaps even to transcend i t. Certainly, his play so far this year has been eye-opening. The severity ahd certainty- of Ms strokes are said to be beyond anything hitherto, seen in California, the Jand of hard hitting. We of the East have a treat in store, therefore, and we shall gather around on' Johnston’s first appearances and revel in the sight of that doughty little giant hitting them to the corners in his very best style.”