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TENNIS:
By R. E. SCHLESINGEE
THE JAPANESE MATCHES
A T the last meeting of the Council
of the Lawn Tennis Association oi
Australia, it was decided to postpone the
decision about sending a Davis Cup team
away, and to appoint a committee to
go into the question, after witnessing
our players in action against the Jap
anese.
As a challenge has to be lodged be
fore the end of January, it does not
look as if the delay is necessary, par
ticularly as the form in the Australian
championships will not be considered
The Australian championships are being
held in Adelaide during the first week
in February, and this will be after the
closing date for the receipt of chal
lenges for the Davis Cup.
The recent Victorian championship
meeting was such a success that one
cannot help feeling optimistic about thi
coming Japanese matches, particularly if
the weather is favorable in each State.
If the visit is a success financially if
should result in a Davis Cup team being
certain to go away from Australia.
Even if Australia does not send
Davis Cup team away, an Australian
team is certain to visit Japan, as Mi
Norman Brookes, president of the
L.T.A.A,. promised the Japanese Associ
ation that we would return their visii
in 1932.
Thus our players will be well on then
mettle during the next few months, as
there might be a possibility of two teams
being considered if we decide to chal
lenge for the Davis Cup.
The Japanese matches start in earnest
in a few weeks time, but as Satoh will
be the first arrival, Tasmania will re
ceive o visit from him, and perhaps Hop
man.
There is great interest in tennis m
Tasmania, and, as they do not receive
many visits from international players
they are sure to make the most of this
one.
Satoh has been playing a lot of tennis
lately, and should strike form earlier
than his team-mates, Harada and Nunoi.
so lovers of the game in Tasmania should
see some good tennis.
Country Tournaments
Many of our leading players will be
taking part in the various Christmas tour,
nanients held In the leading countn
centres,
In the metropolitan men, the populm
South Yarra Club will eater for those
players who remain at home, by agam
staging its annual championship tourna
ment.
The popular Benalla tournament is at
tracting a number of our leading play
ers, some of whom will be first com
peting at South Yarra. It is expected thai
Tonkin, Beament, Gaffy, Ewin, Weston
will be taking part, in addition to many
other regular visitors.
H. Hopman and W. Teague will ba
the main attractions at Warracknabcai.
and if they reproduce the excellent form
they displayed during the Victorian
championships, the spectators should be
well satisfied
There is a great charm about tourna
ments held in the country, and mos'
players look forward to these tourna
ments, particularly after having taken
pari in interstate and championship tour
naments beforehand.
The development of grass courts m
Victorian country centres has been re
markable, and players who visit Cobram,
Kyneton, Wangaratta, Bendigo. Camper
down. Ararat, Colac, Hamilton, and many
other centres, for their annual tourna
ments, can be assured of excellent court'
and a splendid time.
The periodical visits ot leading play
ers to country centres does a tremendous
lot of good for the game, and it i.
by this co-operation that the standard ot
tenr.is throughout the country can really
improve.
The writer wishes to take this . ppot
tunity of extending every good wi. u fot
the Christmas and New Year to umiv
followers, and trusts that they wiii con
tinue to enjoy "playing the game" an',
will strive for further improveiru n.t.
Young plnyers tn particular should en
deavor to watch better players '■ flC'
tion, and try to assimilate their numoGS.
Good advice should always be !'■
to, and if you are fortunate cm", yh
find someone willing to help \v' 'J1!'
prove your game, try to carry J!, li?
instructions, that is. provided he n\
position to know what is correct ■
as instruction is concerned.
If you are taking part in tourr.mient'
you will Urn! it wise not to entei j'K
many events. There is nothing 1 ll1-"
heartening as being defeated by
fcrlor player through being tired < ut • J
too many mutches beforehand, a < '"Y
is sure to happen if you try to t ui|H"
In too muny wvents.
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