Evening star., 1915-09-12
TENNIS HAS MADE STRIDES
s>>x... IN MANY PARTS OF. WORLD
Maurice Mclaughlin Tells of Interesting
Experiences and Play Encountered in &
Many Lands During Travels.
BY MAURICE E. McLoUGHLIN
.America.s Greatest Tennis Player.

BY MAURICE E. McLoUGHL1N
DO Americas Greatest Tennis Player
In a rapid survey of tennis around
the world the most noteworthy lace
that arrests me is the condition and
prorress of the game in Australasia.
More than any other country they owe
thar deyelopment and their widespread
interest in the game to the Davis cup.
which was the institution OF interna-
tional tennis.
Prior to the time that Brookes and
Wildine brought the cup home in l9oi
tennis was practically n dead issue In
the island domain. During the 1our
subseuuent years that Australia held
the cup against all invaders the game
grew rapidly indeed, it fairly TOOK
the country by storm. A large anu
powerful association sprang into ex-
istence that controlled the tennis OIL
the country, and keen interest was
taken in the innumerable tournaments
that were sanctioned. Together WIN
the many tennis clubs formed IN al
cities and towns, hundreds OIL private
courts were also constructed Brookes
and Dunlop, two of the most famous
PLAYERS, both have beautiful courts OF
turf in the grounds OF their own resi-
dences.
On nv first visit 1 was Immediately
impressed by the attitude of the AUS
tralian crowds. The absolute Impair
tiality that they show is remarkable;
During the Davis cup matches in l9o9
it actually seemed at times that tney
were even pulling for the Americans
The high standard of sportsmanshlp
among the players is another striking
feature.
ely Service Developed.
Af.ar +he more serious tennis was
over we were invited to visit some peo-
pIe ON a cattle station about nfty
miles inland from the coastline rail-
road. Even in this remote locality we
found not only a private tennis court,
but also quite flourishing tennis CLUB
in the little town nearby. IL was on
This private court that we developed
style OF service unknown before or
since. 1t was dubbed the fly service
on account OF the tremendous quantity
of fies tnat filled the air at the time
we were trying to play. When one
came I'D to the line to serve strenuous
gyrations with both arms were neces-
sary just before the delivery in order
10 set the flies out of ones lace ana
eyes. The service was naturally III.
aicrous burlesque! We had heard OF
the number of flies in the back blocks
of Australia, but little did We imagine
that they could actually interfere with
game of tennis. Another feature OF
lne scenery was the uedNy ooAAA
of jackra abbits.
New Zealand has felt reaction SINH
lar to Australia's since the lnstitutlon
of the Davis cup matches, especially
of the honor of bringing the Davis
cup to the antipodes, Wilding having
been a native New Zealander- You hnd
in both countries courts Of grass. d1rt
and asphalt. Some varieties of their
dirt courts are known as chip" courts.
/ was particularly struck in New Zea-
land by the quality Of some OF the pr1-
vate grass courts that saw and play
ed on. One home that visited in CEN
trail New Zealand had no less than
three almost perfect courts. which were
second to none in the land. There are
no particularly noteworthy features IN
which New Zealand tennis differs from
the Australian type. The New Zealand
er's style is about the same, he Is the
same good sportsman, and we found
the New Zealand audiences just as de-
iightful to play to as those in Australia.
Many Exhibition Matches.
Throughout our trip in 1911 we were
called upon to play good many exhi-
bition matches at various places. We
had a very amusing pne in the city OF
Auckland just prior to our sailing
home Brookes and Dunlop were to
play Wright and myself. We had
scarcely started before the rain be-
gan to fall In sheets. Everybody felt
xood-natured and the audience was
willing. so we all stuck it out. Before
the match was over we were literally
splashing around the court. soaked to
the skin. Wright had one or two falls
which caused much amusement and
much splash. The reason | stayed
afloat I ascribe to the fact that some
one had loaned me a pair OF shoes four
times too big for me. The displacement
and weight of these boats was a
handy thing on this occasion and kept
me on an even keel We finished the
match. Wright and myself were beat
Ell by Brookes and Dunlop ! snail
never forget the shower baths that the
rotating ball gave US. 1t was wet
but wonderful experience.
In the rlid-Pacifc we had two ports
of call and enjoyed some tennis , at
both of them. We played an exhibit
tion match in the town of Suva in the
Fiji Islands that ! shall always re-
member on account OF the peculiar
grass and our unusual ball boys. The
turf was of some tropical variety that
was extremely thick. the blades OF
grass being almost as coarse as bris-
ties. 1t gave one the feeling OF walk
ing on springs 1t was wonderfully
easy on the players. out hardly con-
ducive to an accurate bound for the
ball: in fact, it gave a ridiculously err
ratio bound that increased the humor
of the match.
Our ball boys were no less than a
pair of huge ex-cannibals with black,
busnS hair, who trotted around the
court after the balls. wearing very
5 little more than a smile. They did not
seem to have the slightest idea of
what we were trying to do. Some one
had explained in the Fijian tongue
that they were to get the balls and
bring them back. 1t made no differ
e}1ce whether we were in the middle
OF a point or not when they got back.
they walked right across the court and
handed you the ball with a broad grin.
:. Everybody was goOd-natured, however.
and it was great sport. We found
tennis one of the mainstays OF this
small English colony.
Honolulu Shows Interest.
One other stop in the mid-Pacific was
Honolulu Here also there is keen in
terest in the came. The courts for the
most part are Of either dirt or asphalt. 1t
n surprising thing that there are prac-
tically no turf courts there. We found ii
dificult to stay out Of the water long
enough to play much tennis. as the surf
bathing il marvellous Most of the play
ers are American college men that learn
ed their game in this country and have
since gone into business on the Islands
and some play very good game. A
finer set of good fellows and sportsmen
cannot possibly be found. They are all
of championship caliber in this respect
n not In their tennis. AS matter OF
fact, / saw very few Hawaiian players
and none that had any noteworthy abil.
ity.