Tennis Topics

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XI, Issue 44, 4 November 1893, Page 366

Tennis Topics

ANTICIPATIONS.

MR H. W. WILBERFORCE, in his admirable work on ‘ Lawn Tennis,’ published in 1889, remarks on the extraordinary success of lawn tennis as a pastime. Even in England its success is unprecedented alike in extent and rapidity. The same is true of the game in New Zealand ; anil to everyone who cares to observe, this success is really no matter for astonishment, for the game possesses every necessary element of success. Experience has dispelled the prognostications of those fierce fellows who saw in it nothing more than a sort of out-of-door social function. The coincidence of its springing up as it seemed from the ashes of the then moribund croquet, lent some slight force to the idea. It must be remembered, however, that the lawn tennis of those days differed materially from the game as now played. The crudities have been scientifically developed, improvements in laws, implements, and all its arrang’ments of grounds and courts have changed the game almost beyond recognition, and to day we have a game as national as cricket, and one that, like cricket, has become something more than a pastime, and is an institution and an enduring one. lam not now dealing with the historical aspect of tennis ; my lubrications thereon will I hope interest tennis players at some future time.

Just now tennis devotees are dealing in anticipations, and as I write for the entertainment, guidance, and (let me say it humbly) the improvement of the enthusiast, I am going in for anticipations likewise. The great event of the coming season will be the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association’s Championship Tournament. For the first time the Championship contests are to be fought out in Auckland. Having got so far, it is most probable that the tournament will be held a year in regular turn. In passing I must congratulate the Eden and Epsom Lawn Tennis Club on its generous action in having placed their lawns at the disposal of the Association. The effect on tennis in Auckland will, I believe, be a marked improvement in the style and standard of the game. There is ample room for such improvement.

There will be in addition to the interprovincial matches exciting contests among Auckland clubs. The Clubs at present belonging to the Association are Parnell, Elen and Epsom, Devonport, West Eml, and Onehunga. All these have been and are busy preparing for the fast approaching season. It is gratifying to note the energy and skill that has been applied to the grounds during the winter ; the lawns of all the Clubs evidence a marked improvement. The courts at Parnell showed grievous signs ot wear last year. Most of the base lines were in a somewhat desperate condition. Top dressing, watering and rolling have as far as is practicable on so old a turf corrected these faults, the overhanging branches of the oaks have been removed, to the great improvement of both the light and the trees. A shelter hedge on the eastern side of the ground would be an immense advantage. For the comfort of the Parnell players we hope for a prevailing westerly breeze. I was looking at a match at Parnell one year ; there was a northerly wind at work ; the play was somewhat erratic, and I drew attention to the need of some shelter. My companion, a funny fellow, assured me that any alteration in that respect would completely spoil a well known player’s most deadly return ; that the particularly deadly stroke in question owed its development

entirely to the exposed nature of the ground. Farther questioning elicited the explanation that the stroke was only effectual on certain days, those days being when the wind blew in from the sea, and that the peculiar deadliness lay in the nicety of allowance in the matter of ‘ windage.’ The funny fellow concluded by asking piteously * What chance is there against a man who enters into an unholy compact with the elements ?’ I admired the funny fellow’s keen observation till I found that the well-known player could give him ‘ half thirty ’in any weather and beat him. I then transferred my admiration for his discriminatory powers to his powers of romancing. Most funny fellows are liars. The membership at Parnell keeps up, and with improved grounds and the harder practice consequent on the tournament the Club will take some beating. We will have more to sav about the nlavers of this Club shortly.

The Eden and Epsom Club mean to maintain the leading position this year. I have interviewed in a quiet way some of the members. The position they assume is alarmingly simple. They calmly say they won't be beaten. What is to be done with fellows like this 1 A glance at their list of available players is, it is true, likely to prove disquieting to opponents. The club, too, will, I understand, gain considerably in both lady and gentlemen players this year. It is safe to anticipate close and exciting contests between the two oldest clubs. The lawns and appointments of the club have received unceasing attention from the practical Paton and his gang of hard labour men. The want of water is a serious drawback, bat it is not beyond hope that some practical scheme may be found to overcome this.

The three junior clubs —Devon port, West End and Onehunga—have not allowed the winter to pass unused. The operations on the ground of the former have brought about a transformation. It was only on the distinct promise of the Secretary, Mr Whitaker (who was never known to deceive anyone), that the operations were practically over, that the residents who dwell within earshot of the lawns did not persist in their action to have the Club declared a nuisance by the Borough Council. The constant whirr of the lawn mowers, and the unceasing reverberations of the hammering threatened the Club's very existence. These disturbing noises broke out, I am told, every morning

as the sun rose, continued till breakfast time, and were resumed each evening, only to cease whenever the moon set. The Club have determined to furnish competitors for all the inter-club contests this year. This is as it ought to be.

The dates of opening are not yet fixed for all the Clubs. West End opens next Saturday, and Eden and Epsom the following Saturday, the 11th inst.

In our heading portraits are given of the English champion and lady champion. Concerning Mr Pirn’s play the following will be read with interest :—‘ In the new champion we have a man whose play not only maintains but actually raises the standard hitherto associated with the Championship. Of his predecessors, Mr W. Renshaw will always be remembered as the discoverer of the most beautiful points of the game, as the brilliant exponent of the volley who could yet adapt his tactics to the needs of the occasion, and play his chief rival, Mr Lawford, at his own game from the base line. The lattei’s powerful drives and Mr Hamilton’s mar/ellous activity and endurance are also matters of history. The hard hitting of Mr Lawford and the dashing style of Mr Renshaw are united in the play of the present champion, who has added strokes of his own not as yet mastered by any other player. The absolute ease and freedom of his drives and volleys, the apparent nonchalance of his demeanour.the precision with which he places the ball while bitting his hardest by what might be taken to be a lucky aim were it not again and again repeated with success —all these points of the Irishman’s style are absolutely fascinating to the spectator. If there is a weak spot in his attack or defence it has certainly not yet been discovered. As for his strategy—though strategy might seem to be almost superfluous in a player who can hit the ball wherever he finds it to any spot he chooses—it embraces all that is known of the art of the game.

‘ The modern volleyer he can meet and defeat with his own weapons, but when opposed to so prudent and accomplished an exponent of the all-round game as bis last adversary, he shows that his resources are not confined to this favourite stroke. The championship round tended to prove that it is still hopeless for any man to aspire to the first position unless he can play a strong game from the back of the couit, and prevent an opponent from profitably running up to the net on a weak return. Something more than steady and

accurate play, even though it be combined with extraordinary agility and endurance, will be required by the man who, on even terms, wrests the championship from its present bolder. In congratulating Mr Pirn on his fine victory, we rejoice that lawn tennis has in his year appeared not only not to pause in its development, but to make a distinct and considerable step in advance. The enemies or despisers of lawn tennis, if any such survive, might have learnt from his exposition at Wimbledon how great are its capabilities, and the example of his splendid skill can hardly fail to assist in popularising the game by first ennobling it.’

A portrait is also given of Miss Dod, the lady champion, who has only once been defeated on level terms since she won the championship in 1887. The great feature of the lady champion’s play, apart from its inherent excellence, is the coolness of her demeanour iu court. Nothing seems to Hurry or disconcert her,and she hits with the same freedom, and uses the same clear judgment, whether the game stands at 40—0 against her or in her favour. The closer the game is the more steadily and accurately does she play, and if she feels any of the excitement which a lover of the game must feel, it is most studiously veiled. Besides being such a skilful lawn tennis player, Miss Dod is an ardent cyclist and a worshipper at the shrine of golf. Rumour has it that she intends to compete for the ladies’ golf championship, and that if she does she will not come out very far down the list.

A New South Wales team will visit Melbourne next month to play a series of matches against Victoria. The team will be picked from the following players, who have signified their intention of visiting the sister colony if desired. It is not improbable (wiites a Sydney enthusiast) that the Cornstalks might continue their tour and turn up at the Championship Meetings in New Zealand. One or two members have talked about such a proceeding. As this will be during the tourist season it is very likely they will do so. Any of the following may therefore be looked for H. S. Fox, S. A. Tiley, A. Lee, R. D. Fitzgerald, A. Noble, L. A. Mansfield, P. B Colquhoun, G. H. Wickham, E. B. Dewhurst, F. A. Waller, and A. H. Windeyer, of Goulburn.

The excuses of tennis-players are numerous. One gen tieman who was not getting on very well during a thunder-

storm (without rain) explained that he lost a certain set because a Hash of lightning came and singed the ball as be was volleying it.

CANTERBURY

At the annual meeting of the Lyttelton Lawn Tenuis Club, held in the Colonist Hall, there was a good attendance, the lady members being well represented. The Club is in a good financial condition. The following ollicers were elected for the forthcoming season : — President, Captain Clarke ; Vice-presidents, Messrs Schumacher, Hildyard, and E. U. Just; Hon. Secretary and Treasuier, Mr T. W. Lewis; Committee, Messrs Malcolmson, Pitcaithly, Murphy, and Stokes.

NELSON. The members of the Cable Bay (Nelson) Lawn Tennis Club, entertained their friends at the opening of their tennis season the other Saturday. Unfortunately, rain fell all the morning, but about one o’clock it cleared up, so most of those invited put in an appearance. On arrival at the Bay the ‘ boys ’ received their guests, providing afternoon tea which was very acceptable after the long drive. As the ground was too soft to play tennis, the visitors wandered about and inspected all the sights. In the evening an impromptu dance was arranged, and like most impromptu dances, was a great success. Every one, of course, was in picnicking costume. As it was Saturday night they broke up early and reached home just before midnight, after having enjoyed themselves immensely.

WELLINGTON. In Wellington the boom in tennis promises to be as brisk as elsewhere. Here, as everywhere, there is as yet little to report. The opening of the Thoindon courts took place on Saturday, 28tb, the afternoon being exquisitely fine. Afternoon tea was dispersed by the ladies. Amongst those playing were : —Mesdames Barron, W. Johnston, Hardy, Misses Trimnell, Koch, Burnett, Heywood, Hart, Johnston, Gore, Cooper, Izard, Grace, Barron, Kennedy, Smith Campbell, and Pike, Messrs Kibble, Barron, Woolridge, Goring, Kennedy, Simpson, Parker, Brandon, Watkins, Fernie, Hursthouse, Brown and Pollen.