Tennis Stars at Basford
Miss ROUND AND SENORITA LIZANA
Exhibition Games
Tennis enthusiasts from all parts of North Staffordshire were present at the Basford Tennis Club courts this afternoon to witness an attractive series of exhibition matches in which some of the leading players in the world participated.
Great interest was aroused by the presence of Miss Dorothy Round, Britain's No. 1 lady player; Senorita A. Lizana, the Chilean and British hard court champion; Kho Sin Kie, the Chinese Davis Cup captain; and Donald W. Butler, the England and Worcestershire captain.
Senorita Lizana has already won titles at many tournaments in England, and she is strongly fancied for capturing the ladies' singles championship at Wimbledon.
To-day's exhibition matches were arranged by the Staffordshire Lawn Tennis Association on behalf of the funds of hospitals in the county. It was the second event of this kind arranged by the Association.
Last year, at a similar event, the players on view included F. J. Perry and H. W. Austin, the latter being now Britain's No. 1 player since Perry has turned professional.
Other players taking part to-day were C. C. Bullock and J. A. Moore, Staffordshire County players.
ATTRACTIVE PROGRAMME
The programme consisted of a ladies' singles event between Miss Dorothy Round and Senorita Lizana, this being followed by a men's singles between Kho Sin Kie and D. W. Butler. A mixed doubles match and a men's doubles match was also played, and in the latter event Butler and Kho Sin Kie opposed Moore and Bullock.
Some Excellent play was witnessed during the afternoon, particularly in the match between Miss Round and Senorita Lizana.
Among the spectators were the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Stoke-on-Trent (Alderman and Mrs. J. A. Dale) and the Mayor and Mayoress of Newcastle (Alderman and Mrs. S Myott).
In the ladies' singles, Miss Round won the first set 6-4 and lost the second 5-7.
THE LUNCHEON
Sir Francis Joseph's Welcome to Guests
Before play began, a luncheon was held at the North Stafford Hotel, Mr. A. P. Ford presiding.
Others present included the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Stoke-on-Trent, the Mayor and Mayoress of Newcastle, Sir Francis Joseph, K.B.E., D.I., Mrs. Ford, Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Mawdeley, Mr. P. T. N. Forrester, Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Heatley, Miss Dorothy Round, Senorita Lizana, Mr. D. W. Butler, Mr. C. C. Bullock, Miss K. M. Bullock, Miss N. Liebert and Mr. P. T. Jacks (Hon Secretary of the Staffordshire Lawn Tennis Association).
Sir Francis Joseph proposed the toast of "The Guests," and expressed his pleasure in welcoming such distinguished visitors to the City. The interest of Stoke-on-Trent, he said, was not concerned solely with commerce but also with sports. The county of Staffordshire had produced many notable players, including some years ago, Miss Joan Fry, who had held aloft the banner of Staffordshire tennis in a worthy manner. They were also pleased to welcome another Midland player, Miss Dorothy Round. The presence of Senorita Lizana, whom they also welcomed, demonstrated the internationalism of sport.
Sport was a thing, said Sir Francis, which destroyed all enmity, while preserving the spirit of competition.
THE LORD MAYOR
Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent also welcomed the visitors to the city, and said that Stoke-on-Trent had always upheld the great traditions of sport and sportsmanship. Tennis had become an extremely popular game and great enthusiasm was being exhibited throughout North Staffordshire. He hoped that the players taking part in to-day's games would pay a further visit to the City in the future.
The tennis stars taking part in to-day's exhibition game will be guests of Sir Francis Joseph at the Coronation Ball to be held at Stoke this evening.
Evening Sentinel, 14 May 1937
Courtesy of The Sentinel News & Media