LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue XX, 16 November 1901, Page 931

LAWN TENNIS.

(By VANTAGE.) Saturday last was not, ideal weather for tennis. There was almost a gale blowing, with frequent kinds of water to follow, but luckily the rain held off until late in the afternoon, and nearly all the lawns were well patronised, especially considering the many counter attractions. I have received a copy of the programme of the championship meeting and open tournament to be held at the grounds of the Eden and Epsom Lawn Tennis Club on December 26, 27, 28, and 30. The events include men's singles, ladies’ singles, men's doubles, ladies’ doubles, ladies’ doubles and combined doubles, in both championships and handicaps. The Eden and Epsom lawns are in first class order, and if they can be

kept in this condition until 28th December, the sight will gladden the hearts of competitors, especially those who remember the opening last year’s tournament at Lancaster Park. Mr Horace Walker, the hon. ground superintendent, has received many congratulations on the state of the lawns.

All entries for the championship, accompanied by fees, and stating club and association to which player belongs, must be in the hands of the hon. secretary, Mr W. B. A. Morrison, by 17th December next. The Association has been mcst fortunate in securing the services of Mr W. B. Morrison as secretary, as his wide knowledge of lawn tennis, tennis tournaments and tennis players, will prove invaluable. With Mr J. C. Peacock, as assistant hon. secretary, the success of the secretarial department is already assured. The championship events will this year be robbed of a considerable amount of interest through the absence of Messrs Hooper and Parker. With these two and Peacock Auckland held a very strong hand for both single and double events. As it is, we must now pin our faith to Peacock for the singles, and we have no representative pair for the Idoubles. I am informed that Cox and Wilding will play together, and that there is a possibility of Collins and Peacock being partners. If this is so I would not look beyond the latter pair for the doubles champions, and I think we can rely on our local representative to give a very good account of himself this year. He is a fearfully lazy beginner, however, and last year ran some big risks in this way. If he can get off the mark quickly, a little more quickly, I think, he will have a lot to say at the finish, although in Cox and Collins he has formidable opponents' to meet.

It is a matter of general regret that Hooper's state of health prevents his playing in the tournament. It is always a pleasure to watch Hooper's play in a big match, and although he does not seem to get any great pace on his strokes, those who have stood up against them can testify that they are fast enough as a rule to accomplish the desired end, and greater speed is not really required. Many of our younger players might w’ell take a lesson from Hooper's play. We see too much wild "leathering" in the hope of bringing off a phenomenal drive nowadays. The stroke should be acquired first, the pace afterwards. A. H. Brabant is playing well, but is not yet quite up to his last season’s form. Brabant is a great handicap player, and is never beaten until the last ace is scored against him. A. Wilding, who has just recently defeated the veteran Harman for the championship at Christchurch, is another who will very likely play a prominent part in the settlement of the championship. Harman i£ a wonder for his age. and in estimating Wilding's performance it must not be forgotten that Harman last season defeated Collins, who is undoubtedly one of the finest players in the colony, somewhat easily. Wilding has a fine natural free style. He won the men’s first grade handicap at Christchurch last year.

Parker had a great innings in the handicap events in England. He played in. eight tournaments, and won 11 prizes. He says he finds that he is good enough for most of the playersin England,and that tl\ere are really only a few of the top-notchcrs who are right ahead of us here. Players are* already {pre-pair-ing for the coming tournament. From Mount Eden 1 have beard of the following: C. Heather and Rice; Mair and Billing; Bamford and Brown; Vaile and Sheppard; and last, but by no means least, Cooke and Turner. Heather and Rice have played a lot

together and make a go«fl pair. The same may be said of the Cqromandel partaers. Mair and Billing. who have together) won many a good match. Bamford and Brown are coming on fast, and should give u good account of themselves. Vaile is playing with Sheppard, a new member, who is full of promise. Cooke and Turner prove "snags” to most of the other men’s pairs. Turner is always dodging about the base line in a most übiquitous manner, and it is not much use out-lobbing his partner, as he is always there or thereabouts, waiting for it, while Cooke attends to business at the net. This, to our modern up-to-date ideas looks funny, because we have read that it is "not the thing.” Now, I should like voting players to understand distinctly that it is much more the thing to play this game than to run up the way the average player does. It is no use to trot quietly into the service court just in time to get the ball dumped at your feet. If you intend to be up, be up. and lose no time about it. It is worse than not going up at all to go "half up. ’ as most of our young players do. If you want to volley effectually in a double get right up on the net. and sit there like the Australians do, and lose no time about it. Cooke and 1 urner give the voting players some most effectual practical lessons on this subject.

I have been informed on very good authority that if an effort were made Miss Payten, lady champion of Svdney, could probably be induced to come over for our championship meeting. If this could be done, it would add very materially to the interest of the tournament, as a meeting between her and Miss Nunneley would be worth going a long way to see. Miss Payten is only 19. and vollevs and smashes like a man. She beat Miss Howitt (Miss Nunneley’s conqueror) last year (6 —0 —6 —1) in the final. This should serve to impress on our ladies the value of volleying, which with them is practically an unknown accomplishment. Even those who occasionally use the stroke when on the defensive merely tap the ball over the net. The inter-club doubles are to be resumed this year. I understand the first round will be played on the 23rd in-st.

The first round (West End v. Parnell) of the Auckland inter-club tournament will be played on November 23rd. The following have been selected to represent the West End Tennis Club: At Parnell: First gent’s doubles, Messrs. J. C. Peacock and A. H. Brabant; first combined doubles. Miss A. Nicholson and Mr. A. Goldie: second ladies’ ditto. Misses Butters and Caldwell. At West End: First ladies’ doubles, Mesdames Gentles and Newell; second gent's doubles, Messrs. J. Patterson and F. Taylor; second combined doubles. Miss Nicholson and Mr. S. Upton. With the exception of Messrs. Taylor. Brabant and Goldie, the whole of the above have been practising, and they may be expected to render a good account of themselves. Mr. Goldie has been down with influenza, but will probably be himself again by the 23rd. I have just heard, at the time of going to press, that neither Cox nor Collins will come to the championship tournament this year. This is most unfortunate, as with Parker, Hooper. Collins and Cox away the championship will be robbed of a lot of interest. Wilding and Fisher will probably represent Christchurch. As the men’s department will be so bare of big guns, I think our effort should be made to bring the New South Wales lady champion over. I have not heard about Miss Numiely coming up, but think I may assume that she will oe with us.