The converse of the schwarz lemma is false

Abstract

Let h: X → Y be a homeomorphism between hyperbolic surfaces with finite topology. If h is homotopic to a holomorphic map, then every closed geodesic in X is at least as long as the corresponding geodesic in Y, by the Schwarz Lemma. The converse holds trivially when X and Y are disks or annuli, and it holds when X and Y are closed surfaces by a theorem of Thurston. We prove that the converse is false in all other cases, strengthening a result of Masumoto.