SPORTS AND SPORTSMEN.

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20635, 22 October 1938, Page 23 (Supplement)

SPORTS AND SPORTSMEN.

By “Spectator "

WORLD TENNIS RANKINGS Australian Writer s Virus : Budge in Class on His Own : Bromwich Given Second Place : Hob man 9 s Great Season : Helen W ills Moody Top of W omen : Cricket in Australia IHE grading each year of the leading men and women tennis players of the world is a matter that evokes great interest and widespread controversy, writes International in the Sydney Referee. Strangely •nough, the International Lawn Tennis Federation, which is the controlling body of amateur tennis throughout the world, does not provide official lists of gradings. Consequently leading authorities on the game from various nations undertake each year the task of compiling lists of the ten best players in men’s and women’s international tennis circles. This leads to perplexing variations in the lists published, despite the fact that the same data is available to all.

The differences of opinion revealed are most confusing to tennis •nthusiasts. This should not be allowed to continue. The International Lawn Tennis Federation should compile official lists. I have carefully studied the performances of the leading international men and women players during the last twelve months, and my idea of the gradings of each of the ten best has been arranged accordingly. I have arrived at the lists of gradings after mainly giving consideration to performances in tennis of the highest international standard for 1938.

I do not consider Mako a high-class Mngles exponent, but he has registered some line performances in recent weeks, and as this is the basis of my reasoning he deserves his position, as those that follow him have not the same victories to their credit. If one considered only grass-court form, Menzel and Puncec would not find a place In the first ten. Their results on the continental porous courts during early Davis Cup matches, and tournaments of fair standard, warrant their inclusion, after making due allowance for the change of court surfaces. Hopman, Wood and Henkel appear to me to be the only claimants for the last two positions. Accepted No. 3 player in last year’s lists, Henkel has suffered a real downfall during the season. His record is bristling with numerous erushing defeats. Japan, Australia, Germany, England and America have all been the scene of Henkel defeats—some at the hands of poor-class players. • •it r Hopman, like Mako, has never impressed me as possessing singles ability of international class, and frankly I admit he has amazed me this year. In the evening of his tennis career he has produced the best standard he has •ver shown, and definitely has earned a big reputation in U.S.A. by his efforts this year. Hopman’s performances have been achieved in high-class company, which, in my opinion, entitle him to the ninth position in the “First ten." Wood, in American parlance, “did not make the American Davis Cup team,” but his form in tournaments •f good class has been consistent if not, perhaps, outstanding. On the whole, his results have impressed more than those of Joe Hunt, a young American who was fourth player in bis oountry's Davis Cup team this year.

Whnbledon and numerous tournaments preceding it in England, together with the Wtghtihan Cup matches, also the American National Women’s Singles and preceding tourneys, provided ample scope to assist with the women's gradings this year. It was a particularly high-class season for International women competitors, and after reviewing their performances I would place them In the following order:— 1. Mrs H. WiUs-Moodv (U.S.A.) ■2. Miss A. Marble (U.S.A.) 3. Mrs H. Sperling (Denmark) 4. Miss H. Jacobs (U.S.A.) 5. Mrs S. P. Fabyan (U.S.A.) 6. Mme. H. Mathieu ’ (France) 7. Miss N. Wynne (Aus.) 8. Mile. J. Jedrzejowska (Poland) 9. Miss D. Bundy (U.S.A.) 10. Miss K. Stammers (Eng.) • • • • The following are the ranking lists •f world tennis authorities this year: Wallis Myers (Daily Telegraph. London), Ayre’s Tennis Almanac: i J. D. Budge, 2 H. W. Austin, 3 J. Bromwich, 4 R. L. Riggs, 5 S. B. Wood, 6 A. K. Quist, 7 R. Menzel, 8 J. Yamagishi, 9 G Mako, 10 F. Puncec. In compiling the following lists due allowance —as far as possible—has been made for lapses of form occasioned by varying conditions and court surfaces. The Men’s List 1. J. D. Budge (U.S.A.) 2. J. Bromwich (Aust.) 3. R. L. Riggs (U.S.A.) A. K. Quist (Aust.) 5. H. W. Austin (Eng.) 6. <}. Mako (U.S.A.) 7. R. Menzel (Czecho) 8. F. Puncec (Yugo) 9. H. Hopman (Aust.) 10. S. B. Wood (U.S.A.) * • * • Unquestionably Budge is entitled to his position of No. 1. His wonderful record as holder of the Australian, French, English and American National Singles’ titles speaks for Itself and puts him in a class far above any other amateur players of 1938. John Bromwich had distinct claims to be recognised as the second best player of the world this year, prior to his tour abroad. It was expected he would settle any doubts about the matter by continued good performances while in U.S.A. Such has not been the case, however, and many surprising defeats have been recorded against him. Nevertheless, his victories oyer Budge (3) Von Gramm,(l), Mako (4), Riggs (1)’ as well as repeated successes over Quist. McGrath and Crawford, easily outweigh his defeats, and 1 have bo hesitation in placing him second.

In allotting the third position I could not separate Higgs and Quist. Admittedly, on paper, the American appears entitled to be ahead of Quist. Particularly so when he lias beaten the Australian at their only meeting. Notwithstanding, it must be remeni: bered that Riggs has played only in his own country, and has no performances outside of it. Furthermore he has participated in only two events this ■vear of hitrh international class. He failed badly in the U.S.A. National Singles, and although he won one singles against Quist in the challenge round, was decisively beaten by Bromwich in his second singles match. I feel sure that many will be surprised it my placing of Austin in fifth position. and it may arouse some caustic criticism.

Apart from reaching the final of the Wimhledon Singles Championship in very weak field. Austin has done nothing to warrant the high position •warded him in recent ranking lists. In this event he narrowly escaped de-

fours and a six (off Kinnear), was slow at first before the new ball bowling of Ebeling and V. Nagel, but he warmed up later. Should be a certainty for the M.C.C. Centenary match in November.

* feat in the first round against 'E. F Filby, a young, inexperienced Englishman, and had a similar experience latei against Mako (U.5.A.),/when the latte: was a long way below the standard o ; singles ability he now exhibits. H< , certainly won the Queen's Club Single! . title just prior to Wimbledon, but th< ! calibre of his opponents could no ! possibly be classed as of high inter | national standard.

The Times (London) : 1 J. D. Budge, 2 J. Bromwich, 3 H. W. Austin, 4 R. L. Riggs, 5 A. K. Quist, 6 F. Puncec, 7 R. Menzel, 8 G. Mako, 9 S. B. Wood, 10 H. Henkel. M. Gillou (president, Lawn Tennis Association of France) : 1 J. D. Budge, 2 J. Bromwich, 3 R. L. Riggs, 4 H. W. Austin, 5 A. K. Quist, 6 G. Mako, 7 S. B. Wood, 8 J. Hunt, 9 R. Menzel, 10 F. Puncec. Sir F. Gordon Lowe (the Scotsman) : 1 J. D. Budge, 2 J. Bromwich, 3 H. W. Austin, 4 R. L. Riggs, 5 F. • Puncec, 6 A. K. Quist, 7 H. Henkel, 8 G. Mako, 9 S. B. Wood, 10 R. Menzel. Dr. G. H. McElhone (Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney) : 1 J. D. Budge, 2 J. Bromwich, 3 R. L. Riggs, 4 H. W. Austin, 5 A. IK. Quist, 6 G. Mako, 7 R. Menzel, 8 F. Puncec, 9 B. Grant, 10 H. Henkel. M. Weston (Daily Telegraph, Sydney) : 1 J. D. Budge, 2 J. Bromwich, 3 H. W. Austin, 4 R. L. Riggs, 5 A. K. Quist, 6 J. Yamagishi, 7 S. B. Wood, 8 G. Mako, 9 F. Puncec, 10 R. Menzel.

Another Bradman. J. Min ter, who made the fastest century last season (in 34 minutes), is the outstanding batsman of the hour in Sydney. His 207 against Glebe in a fighting position in 2 hours 20 minutes at little less speed than a hundred an hour last Saturday revives comparisons with the speed of big innings when Trumper, MoCloy, Jansen, Macartney, Cotter and others made things so merry. Glebe's 241 looked a winning total when the sixth Balmain wicket fell at 173, after five w’ere down for 106. Then Minter practically took charge, driving crisply and cleanly, especially to the onside, where his placing was so good. In the first 100 were ten fours, and in all he hit 27 fours and one six. He should be seen in the interstate colts’ match and in the State practice team. Balmain’s 382 were scored at a faster rate than 100 an hour. L. Keller hit two sixes in 31. Minter is a small cricketer, who looks very much like Champion Don Bradman.

Frank Sides played a very entertaining innings against University—lo 4 in 102 minutes (twelve fours and a six) without a chance. U was the first century of the season. Sides is in such good form that he ought to be one of the first selected for Victoria. lan Lee’s 75 in 189 minutes, with ten

Cycling Notes The Hamilton Cycle Club held its first track me'eting on the Morrinsville speedway last Saturday under ideal conditions. Working in conjunction with the Auckland-Morrinsville 100 miles professional championship, the events, which were witnessed by a large crowd, were run to time, and though the track was fast and a bit loose on the bend entering the finishing straight, only two riders fell. Mr G. Reid, the handicapper, deserves special mention, for in every event except one the field finished in a bunch, in fhe mile junior, A. Burr was first with J. Rogerson a close second. The half-mile open was won by Cates, of Morrinsville, which was a surprise, and J. Rogerson was second. S. Leong, of Hamilton, had bad luck in this event for he got boxed on the inside when i coming very fast at the finish. Cates I again scored by winning the one-mile senior, with G. Williams a wheel away second. • • • • The two-miles proved a victory for F. Smith with G. Williams second. This event was run straight out and the whole field except for the back men bunched early. It resulted in a spectacular win for T. Crawford, with C. McOnie second. This race demonstrated Crawford’s superiority on the track. With the field off scratch, and a sprint every lap, with the last man dropping out each lap, this type of race appeals to the public, and Crawford on the last lap opened up a burst of speed that thrilled the crowd. McOnie, who finished about ten lengths behind Crawford, beat C. Burr by four lengths.—“ Sprocket.” Swimming Arrangements Following a suggestion brought, forward at the Old Boys arfd Old Girls’ and Old Technical Swimming Clubs, it was decided at the annual meetings to call a combined meeting to discuss the question of amalgamation. Representatives from the clubs met last night, and after going into the question fully it was unanimously decided to dissolve both clubs and form a new club with a new name. An executive j was appointed to go into the matter. Mr L. 1. Day, chairman, brought forward numerous suggestions, the chief one being that as the clubs were combined it would leave a spare night at the baths. One night could then be devoted to teaching swimmers, especially the juniors, the correct methods of all parts of the sport. The second night could be taken up for senior competitive swimming between the combined club and the Y.M.G.A., a committee being elected from the clubs to make out a programme. The annual meeting was fixed for next Wednesday.

Last year. Joyes, Armstrong, McDonald and Company had a most sue cessful day at this gathering and top perl off individual successes by win ning the relay race against stron competition.