This was published 4 years ago
From the Archives, 1934: Welcome to the international ladies of tennis
There was intense excitement as the British women's tennis team arrived in Sydney for a series of matches. They would make history as the first international women's tennis team to tour Australia.
By Staff reporter
First published in the Sydney Morning Herald on November 20, 1934
INTERNATIONAL TENNIS.
English Girls Arrive.
There is always an atmosphere of expectancy around a wharf when a boat is due, but on Sunday there seemed to be an added excitement, and, when the boat pulled in, one noticed the eager look of a certain group straining their way forward to see if they could catch a glimpse of the people leaning on the boat rail - New South Wales tennis officials awaiting the arrival of the British tennis team.
"Tennis stars for Australia -- Members of the lawn tennis team who left London for Australia and New Zealand. Left to Right: Miss Dorothy Round, Evelyn Dearman, G.P. Hughes and Nancy Lyle. November 05, 1934."
For the women councillors. Mrs. L. L. Conway, Mrs. G. S. Warburton, and Miss Louise Bickerton - the latter is also the Australian captain - it was a particularly exciting moment, because they were at last welcoming an international women's team to Australia.
"Suddenly the head of Fred Perry, the English and world champion, appeared over the side..."Credit: Beau Leonard
Suddenly the head of Fred Perry, the English and world champion, appeared over the side, and seeing his Australian friends once more he called a cheerful welcome, and went in search of Miss Dorothy Round, Miss Evelyn Dearman, and Miss Nancy Lyle, who eventually appeared at the rail to wave cheerily to the group of officials.
Those ashore were eventually allowed on board, and once the introductions were over the visitors and officials made their way to the lounge for the broadcast welcome, the inevitable photographs, and to meet still more people anxious to do them honour.
It was in the lounge that the English girls caught sight of Joan Hartigan, and with one accord greeted her - Joan must have been like an oasis in a desert of strangers, and later they found the Hopmans. "It should not take us long to settle down," said Miss Round, "once we sort people out and know where we are, but especially I hope that the land will be firm; we had a very rough trip across."
"Miss Dorothy Round, the world champion, who arrived in Sydney yesterday." November 18, 1934Credit: Beau Leonard
Indeed, it was a very human world champion who greeted the Australians. "I am all right so long as I am sitting down," she smiled when asked how, rough the trip was, "but I do not feel like a tennis player at the moment, and I could write a book on the disadvantages of being a champion."
AT PRACTICE.
"It was in the lounge that the English girls caught sight of Joan Hartigan..." Joan Hartigan winner of the Australian Tennis Championships in 1933, 1934 and 1936.Credit: Tennis Australia
Yesterday the team made haste to practise at the Lawn Tennis Ground. Dorothy Round looked remarkably small in her trim divided skirt and neat shirt blouse, but she impressed all with her agility and the crisp businesslike manner in which she hit the ball. One understood why the lawn tennis critics abroad named her "the perfect player." Every shot was made gracefully, and she was at home on the baseline or at the net. After the game Miss Round said, "I naturally find the course a little strange, but I am quite satisfied, and we should all settle down easily."
On a nearby court Great Britain's doubles pair demonstrated time and again that they knew the art of playing this difficult department of the game. One was impressed with the sheer brilliance of Miss Dearman's smashing and volleying - her long reach and speed of foot standing her in good stead when she was near the net. Her partner, Miss Nancy Lyle, looked as though no one would ever out-drive her at the back of the court, yet when the occasion demanded she volleyed expertly at the net.
There were many interested spectators at this, the first practice of the team, and the inter-state girls found it difficult to concentrate with famous players on the courts nearby.
TO-MORROW'S MATCH.
The international match begins to-morrow, making history as the first international women's tennis match to be played in this country. It is most appropriate that the team should be one from Great Britain, and that it should include the world champion.
Despite such an array of names and such an excellent record as our visitors bring with them, the Australian team will be on its toes to achieve victory, and the match should be much closer than many anticipate. Of the eight matches, Australia must be given a chance of winning at least four.