the art of lawn tennis(网球的艺术)-第24章
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made in tennis among the boys in England in the next few years。 I believe
the game will change to conform more to the modern net attack。 England
will never be the advanced tennis…playing country that her colonies are； for
her whole atmosphere is one of conservatism in sport。 Still her game will
change。 Already a slight modification is at work。 The next decade will see
a big change coming over the style of English tennis。 The wonderful
sporting abilities of the Englishman； his ability to produce his best when
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seemingly down and out mean that； no matter how low the ebb to which
tennis might fall； the inherent abilities of the English athlete would always
bring it up。 I sound pessimistic about the immediate future。 I am not；
provided English boyhood is interested in the game。
Japan is the country of the future。 There is no more remarkable race of
students on the globe than the Japanese。 They like tennis； and are coming
with increasing numbers to our tournaments。 They prove themselves
sterling sportsmen and remarkable players。 I look to see Japan a power in
tennis in the next twenty…five years。
France； with her brilliant temperamental unstable people； will always
provide interesting players and charming opponents。 I do not look to see
France materially change her present positionwhich is one of extreme
honour； of great friendliness； and keen competition。 Her game will not
greatly rise； nor will she lose in any way the prestige that is hers。
It will be many long years before the players of those enemy countries；
who plunged the world into the horrible baptism of blood from which we
have only just emerged； will ever be met by the players of the Allies。
Personally； I trust I may not see their re…entry into the game。 Not from the
question of the individuals； but from the feeling which will not down。
There is no need to deal at this time with the future of Germany and
Austria。
Australasia and South Africa； the great colonies of the British Empire；
should be on the edge of a great tennis wave。 I look to see great players
rise in Australasia to refill the gaps left by the passing of Wilding and the
retirement of Brookes。 It takes great players to fill such gaps； but great
players are bred from the traditions of the former masters。
The early season of 1921 saw a significant and to my way of looking
at it； wise move on the part of New Zealand when the New Zealand tennis
association withdrew from the Australasian tennis association and decided
to compete for the Davis Cup in future years as a separate nation。
No one can deny the great help Australia has been to New Zealand in
tennis development； but the time has come now for New Zealand to stand
on her own。 Since the regrettable death of Anthony F。 Wilding； in whose
memory New Zealand has a tennis asset and standard that will always hold
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a place in world sport； the New Zealand tennis players have been unable to
produce a player of skill enough to make the Davis Cup team of
Australasia。 It has fallen to Australia with Norman E。 Brookes； to whose
unfailing support and interest Australasian tennis owes its progress since
the war； G。 L。 Patterson； W。 H。 Anderson； R。 L。 Heath； and Pat O'Hara
Wood to uphold the traditions of the game。
The Davis Cup challenge round of 1921 was staged in New Zealand in
accord with the agreement between Australia and New Zealand and also in
memory of A。 F。 Wilding。 The tremendous interest in the play throughout
the entire country showed the time was ripe for a drastic step forward if
the step was ever to be taken。 So after careful consideration the split of
Australia and New Zealand has taken place。 What will this mean to New
Zealand？ First it means that it will be years before another Davis Cup
match will be staged on her shores； for it takes time and plenty of it to
produce a winning team； but at the time； the fact is borne in on the tennis
playing faction in New Zealand that as soon as they desire to challenge；
their players will gain the opportunity of International competition。
Experience matures players faster than anything else and I am sure that
the move that will place a team of New Zealand players in the field in the
Davis Cup will be the first and biggest step forward to real world power in
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；
