LAWN TENNIS.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19457, 22 December 1934, Page 22 (Supplement)

LAWN TENNIS.

PLAY AND PLAYERS. THE GAME IN WAIKATO. COMMENT AND CRITICISM. ('By “ Umpire.") In recent months there has Been a growing agitation to have the Waikato Lawn Tennis Association’s annual tournament held at the end of January instead of at Easter, as has been the custom for many years. While there was a considerable body of opinion in support of this proposal, there was also a fair amount of opposition, and in view of • the divided views on the matter the Waikato management has given careful consideration to the question of changing tlic dates. After reviewing all aspects it was decided this week that the next tournament should .be held on January 30 and 31, and February 1 and 2,193 b. It was felt that. .Easter being so late next year, the weather would probably have broken and many clubs would be on the point of closing and their members preparing for winter'sports. ' The change is in the nature of an experiment and it remains to be seen how entries will bo affected. The New Zealand championships finish at Auckland on January 29 and it. is hoped that some outside players may be attracted to Hamilton for the tournament. The association is hopeful that F. J. Perry, the famous British player, may be seen in action in Hamilton during the tournarilent.

Tennis Ball Covering. It is reported from America that, by a new process of covering a tennis ball with knitted wool felt instead of the usual square woven felt, as the old felt wears away a new nap actually grows in—'just like a constant growth of hair. Fuzzy strands open in the felt every time the ball hits the courts, and so the cover remains fluffy right to the end instead of wearing down and causing the ball to float and become uncontrollable. Court Improvements. Considerable comment has been heard, .since the opening of the season, on the condition of the Suburban Association’s hard courts in ltostrevor Street. Originally laid down in chips and sahd on a clay foundation these courls were fast and true while their surface lasted, but, largely due to the continued dry weather, the sand has blown away, and the chips have come away from their foundation until the courts are now unfit for competition play. Had they been kept watered in the early part of the season the surface might have consolidated, but it is now too far gone to respond to this remedy. I understand that the Suburban management have the sealing of the courts in view. This would certainly mean a big improvement. Hamilton Club’s Success. The fact that the Hamilton Club’s teams won both their Banner matches by fairly substantial margins is indicative of the wealth of good players lincluded in the clubjs membership this season. In the light of its representatives’ performances • in the competition to date it would appear that the club has strong claims on the premiership af the Waikato Association. A match between Waikato East, the present holders of the Banner, and the Hamilton ‘Club’s team should be one of the highlights of the season. Cups for Competition. Spaldings have very generously donated two cups to the Waikato Association. These are to be competed for annually and are to be held by the winners of the boys and girls’ championship singles respectively at the annual Tournament. The Association has decided to donate miniatures of the cups to be held permanently by the winners. The Modern Trend. The following poem concerning the adoption of shorts by lady tennis players appears in an American paper: • In Nineteen-four The ladies wore Long skirts throughout the nation. In Twenty-three TJiey touched the knee A shocking innovation: They now cavort About the court In dainty snorts and scantles. And no one stares, For no one cares, Not even maiden aunties. Wo all admire The girls’ attire And would not 'rouble borrow, nut ir the trend Continues, friend, What will they were to-morrow? A Suburban Loss. After displaying great form since the opening of Lite season Hie top lady in the Suburban Association, -Mrs. J. At'twood lias retired from active participation in competition play for health reasons. A member of t! Hamilton East Club Mrs. Altwood, who was formerly Miss Joan Ward, won 'the Taranaki singles title, and is undoubtedly one of tlxo ilncst players .in the Waikato to-day. 'Her rclircment is a serious loss to (lie Suburban Association’s first representative team, in which site has played with distinction. Flayers generally will join in wishing her a speedy return to good health. Representative Matches. 'Pile Waikato Association lias decided lo hold its annual Town v. Country match at Hamilton on January 12. The teams, each of 12 men and 12 ladies have been selected. It is anticipated that a Taranaki team will visit Hamilton on February 23 whilst an Auckland team is to be invited lo play Waikato in Hamilton in March. Waikato Ranking List. The recently published ranking list of players in the Wuikalo Association canto under discussion at a mooting of the managemenl lliis week, and the match committee made il clear dial the ranking list was compiled on last season's slumlord of play. It was pointed out that it was not binding on (he selectors when selocliinr Associalion teams, but was to he only a guide to them. Tennis Forum. Dear Umpire.—Why is il lli.il even tennis cannot be played without these regrettable exhibitions of lemporament, more especially on the part of certain of our lady players? I have in" mind .r recent compel'dinn match in which a certain well-known player, and. incidentally, one who llgnres on th§ Suburban ladder, tuck pari. This

player gave a good exhibition while the game was in her favour, but as soon as her opponent took the lead her interest in the match appeared to disappear, and she made practically no effort to return the balls. To my mind behaviour such as this is not in keeping with the spirit of the game, and if players are going to carry on like this I think they should retire and take up some sport more in keeping with their mental and nervous capacities. I am etc, —'Ball 'Boy. Dear Umpire,—A growing practice which I consider should be stamped out is that of foot-I'lumng, which I notice is very preya ent on local courts just. now-. From my .observations the men seem to be the chief offenders, and I have seen some flagrant breaches on their part, in recent matches. The rules are very definite on the point of foot-faulting, and umpires are neglecting their duties if offending players arc not checked. Foot-faulting is a habit which can only lead to a lower standard of play, and some of our younger players, in particular, should have this pointed out to them before it 'is too late to break them of the habit. I am etc, — Veteran. Pavilion Echoes. H. W. Austin, after many years’ striving, at last won the c'overed courts singles championship, beating Borotra in the fifth set. -Borolra had been champion six years in ' succession. A curious result in the Roehampton Club’s open bard court lawn tennis tournament xvas that in which'Miss A. <C. Curtis, a Devonshire girl, failed to win a game in the first set from Miss R. M. Hardwick, won the the second at 10 —8, and finished up by winning the third without the loss of a game. iL. R. Stoefen, who has just joined the professional circus, was the Larwood of the American Davis Cup team, his thunderbolt service being his great asset. As bis height is 6ft. 7in., one can imagine how the ball would come down. R. .Menzel, of Czecho-Slo-valda, is another of the giant class, measuring,some 6ft. 3in. It is unusual to find black lines to mark out a tennis court. That is the case, however, at a Taranaki club where courts of almost white concrete are marked with black paint and the result is quite effective. Balls of a black colour wmuld be an advantage also. The New Zealand and Waikato Lawn Tennis Associations have approved the Waikato East Sub-Associa-tion’s tournament which is set down lo be held at Okoroire on January 1 and 2. „ At a meeting of the Waikato Association management committee recently the president, Mr. A. C. Thompson, presented the Waikato Banner, the emblem of sub-association Premiership, to the Waikato East SubAssociation, which won the trophy last season. The Banner has now been brought up to date. ,qwing to 1110 annual tournament being held on February 2, the final match of the Western .Zone in the Waikato Banner competition has been postponed until February 9.