第 22 节
作者:雨霖铃      更新:2021-05-03 16:33      字数:9321
  tennis。    New    Zealand     produced     one   Wilding;     why    should    not   another
  appear?
  I was tremendously impressed by the interest existing among the New
  Zealand   boys   in   tennis。   I   met   a   great   number   during   my   few   weeks   in
  Auckland and seldom have seen such a magnificent physical type coupled
  with   mental   keenness。   These   boys;   given   the   opportunity   to   play   under
  adequate supervision and coaching; should produce tennis players of the
  highest class。
  The   New   Zealand   association   has   made   a   drastic   move。   I   hope   they
  have   the   wisdom   to   see   far   enough   ahead   to   provide   plenty   of   play   for
  their young players and if possible to obtain adequate coaches in the clubs
  and schools。
  Frankly I see no players of Davis Cup calibre now in New Zealand。 I
  did see many boys whom I felt if given the chance would become Davis
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  Cup material。
  The break with New Zealand will have no effect on Australia; except
  to relieve a slight friction that has existed。 Australia has plenty of material
  coming   to   insure   a   succession   of   fine   teams   for   the   Davis   Cup   in   the
  future。
  Both Australia and New Zealand handle their tennis in the country in a
  most efficient manner and   the game seems   to me to   be progressing in   a
  natural and healthy manner。 The next ten years will decide the fate of New
  Zealand tennis。 If they organise a systematic development of their boys I
  feel convinced they will gain a place of equality with Australia。 If they do
  not seize their opening now; tennis will not revive until some genius of the
  game such as Norman E。 Brookes arises in their midst from only the Lord
  knows where。
  The future should see America and Australia fighting for supremacy in
  the tennis world; with England and France close on their heels; to jump in
  the lead at the first faltering。
  It   is   only   a   matter   of   time   before   the   last   differences   between   the
  International Federation and the America Association are patched up。 The
  fundamental desires of each; to spread the growth of tennis; are the same。
  Sooner   or   later   the   bar   will   fall;   and   a   truly   International  Federation;
  worldwide in scope; will follow。
  I   look   to   see   the   Davis   Cup   matches   gain   in   importance   and   public
  interest as each year goes by。 The growth of the public interest in the game
  is   seen   at  every   hand。   Wimbledon       must   seek    new   quarters。   The    new
  grounds of the All England Club will provide accommodation for 20;000
  to   witness   the   championships。   This   enormous   stadium   is   the   result   of
  public pressure; owing to the crowds that could not be accommodated at
  the old grounds。
  Westside  Club;  Forest   Hills;  where  the American   Championship   was
  held;    is  planning    accommodation         for  25;000;    provided     that  they   are
  awarded the championship for a long term of years。 Davis Cup   matches
  are   now   drawing   from   10;000   to   15;000   where   the   accommodation   is
  available。 What will the future hold?
  I believe that 1950 will find the game of tennis on a plane undreamed
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  of to…day。 Tennis is still in its infancy。 May I have the pleasure to help in
  rocking the cradle。
  My task is completed。 I have delved into the past; analysed the present;
  and prophesied the future; with a complete disregard of conventions and
  traditions。
  The old order changeth; and I trust that my book may aid slightly in
  turning the tennis thought in the direction of organized developments。 The
  day of self is past。 The day of co…operation is dawning。 It is seen in the
  junior    tennis;    the  municipal      tennis;   and   the   spirit   of  international
  brotherhood in the game。
  Assistance is necessary to success in any venture。 My book has been
  made possible only by the aid afforded me by several of my companions
  on the Davis Cup team trip。 The task of arranging the material in coherent
  order and proper style is one of the most important points。 I owe a debt of
  gratitude to Mrs。 Samuel Hardy; wife of our captain; for her never…failing
  interest and keen judgment in the matter of style。
  Mr。 Hardy; with his great knowledge of the game of tennis; as player;
  official; and organizer; freely gave of his store of experience; and to him I
  owe much that is interesting in the tactics of the game。
  R。   N。   Williams;     my   team…mate;     was    always    a  willing    critic  and
  generous listener; and his playing abilities and decided ideas on the game
  gave much material that found its way into these pages。 I wish to express
  my gratitude for his able assistance。
  Charles S。 Garland; my doubles partner and close friend; gave never…
  wavering faith and a willing ear to my ravings over strokes; tactics; and
  theories; while his orthodox views on tennis acted as a stop on my rather
  Bolshevik ideas。
  To all these people I express my thanks for their part in any success I
  may  attain   with   this book。  I   have   a   firm  belief in the   future   of tennis。   I
  recommend it to all。 It gives firm friends; a healthy body; a keen mind; and
  a clean sport。 It calls forth the best that is in you; and repays you in its own
  coin。
  THE 1921 SEASON
  The   season   of   1921   was   the   most   remarkable   year   in   tennis   history
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  throughout   the   whole   world。   More   tennis   was   played   and   more   people
  viewed it than ever before。
  The    climax     of  famous     Davis    Cup    competition     was    reached    when
  England;   France;   Japan;   Australia;   the   Philippines;   Denmark;   Belgium;
  Argentine; Spain; India; Canada and Czecho…Slovakia challenged for the
  right to   play America;  the holding nation。 This   wonderful   representation
  naturally  produced   not   only   many   new   stars;   but   also   thousands   of   new
  enthusiasts in the various countries where the matches were played。
  The   early   rounds   saw   several   brilliant   matches   and   naturally   some
  defaults。 Argentine and the Philippines could not put a team in the field at
  the last moment。 Belgium; after defeating Czecho…Slovakia; was unable to
  finance     her   team     to  America      to  meet     the  winner     of   England     and
  Australasia。
  England   scored   a   fine   victory   over   Spain   when   Randolph   Lycett;   F。
  Gordon Lowe and Max E。 Woosnam defeated Manuel Alonzo and Count
  de    Gomar     in  a  close    meeting。    Notwithstanding        his  defeat   by   Lycett;
  Manuel Alonzo proved himself one of the great players of the world and
  one of the most attractive personalities in tennis。
  India sprang a sensation by defeating France in their match in Paris。
  Sleen; Jacob and Deane showed great promise for the future。 France was
  crippled   owing   to   the   loss   of   A。   H。   Gobert   and   William   Laurentz;   the
  former      through    a   seriously    sprained     ankle   sustained     in   the  World's
  Championship at Wimbledon; and the latter through illness。  Samazieuhl;
  the new French champion; and Brugnon could not cope with the steadiness
  of   the   Indian   stars   and   the   team   from   the   Orient   won   3   matches   to   2。
  Meanwhile   the Australian   team   of   J。   O。 Anderson;   J。   B。   Hawkes;   C。   V。
  Todd and Norman Peach had arrived in America and journeyed to Canada;
  where   they   swamped   their   Colonial   cousins   easily。   Norman   E。   Brookes;
  Gerald L。 Patterson and Pat O'Hara Wood were unable to accompany the
  team; so the greatest contender for the title was weakened appreciably。
  The   Australians   decisively   defeated   the   Danish   team   of   Tegner   and
  Van     Ingersley    at   Cleveland;     winning     with    ease。   They     proceeded     to
  Pittsburgh   to   await   the   arrival   of   the   English   players。   England   sent   her
  invading      team;    unfortunately      without    the   services    of   Col。   A。   R。   F。
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  Kingscote and Randolph Lycett; who were unable to go owing to business
  affairs。 J。 C。 Parke; her famous international star; was also out of the game;
  having