New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-29
WHO WILL BE CHAMPIONi
R D. SEARS NOT TO PLAY TENNIS THIS YEAR


SURVEY OF PROBABLE CANDIDATES foh THE
UoNoR-A brilliant SEASON IN PRosPECI.
Tbs announcement that Richard d. Sears the champion
at lawn tennis Will be unable this year 70 oonp 0 o
nrst prze which fallen so naturally ana WIN sucn
ease 10 him several seasons VIII come Win
startling suddenness to the tennis world IL means not
only that the foremost and most brilliant exponent Oh 'ne
game I'm this country has been obliged for season. W
renouish play but has unusual significance IN tha
at the close Of the tennis tournament at Newport next
August new champion Of the United States VIII DO an
pounced Rumors Of Mr.. Searss voluntary reuremens
have been heard during the winter and IL was only due
10 the strenuous urging OF his friends and feow-compe
tors no that decided compete again with the winner
OF tho All Corners" Now, however his retirement as
far as this season is concerned is obligatory and hna
ana II may DO doubted II Mr. Sears will ever con-
,st for tho again. At the close OF the recent
court tennis match In which Mr. Sears won the champion
ship for this country suffered considerable pain from
an abscess which formed his neck In an opera
ton last Monday IL discovered that the trouble was
due to Inflammation Of the large muscle OF the neck ana
hts surgeons informed him that 10 viii require months
for the heal and for the muscle to DO restored
TO its former strength Any violent exerion meanwhile
prove disastrous and Mr. Sears has philanthropy
cay announced: The decree is out and cannot play
tennis again during the whole SUMNER
The query naturally arises the successor 10 Mr..
Sears the position which he has held long and with
importance and excitement which otherwise be miss
ing That these circumstances will operate to the general ad
vantage of the game itself cannot be denied for every
player OF prominence in this country will be under tho
spur OF wholesome ambition, and the games are not ex
citing and closely contested It merely that tennis
It Is played. has passed away with Mr. Searss with
drawal.
H. w. slocum jr, Of Brooklyn, the winner Of the All
Comers1 last season. win be regarded as the most likely
candidate and his Improvement this season is marked
aeit haab hoe In Elocum we'll
be regarded the assured Of Mr. Sears Be
the honor Of having second to the champion
ne holds the championship OF the Country Club and Of
New England. His general play is after the model of
Mr. Sears he is regarded as excellent placer
sharp and effective voeycr and plays with degree Of
caution which goes far toward securing
Dr. James NJ. Dwight, who is so venerable in tennis
experience that be is known tho father Of the gamev
may possibly compete in the singles with the younger
disciples Of tennis II had been his intention 10 play In
the doubles this with Mr. Sears but the arrange
ment having fallen through It IS possible that he may
turn his attention TO the singles in which no long ago
achieved experness Following the old school Of careful
and safe play, no may find IL dicult TO win from the
spry and agile young who smash" with vengeance,
pad return" with startling rapdity At any rate he
will prove formidable opponent and In the doubles with
competent partner, he may be relied upon for high
position
r. Livingston Becckman and Howard A. Taylor Of this
city, be overlooked In any gossip relating to the
first honor in tennis. Both young men have displayed
their brain and Drawn the tennis held for several
sons and each year has found them well in the ranks
II Mr. Slocum has serious designs the championship
he must not omit to count sterling players obsta
cles bis endeavor Only after long and close con
Mr.. Beeckman forced to resign his place as
winner Of the All Corners" TO MI Slocun and possibly
II he had been able devote the proper time to the gamo
last season. might still retain the second place to Mr.
searA probabilities hold true Of the coming sea-
MI Beeckman's play is most aggressive and vigor
GUS what he lacks In and caution Is replaced in
- loah Nh yfpan will nd ram.
binsHon OF his sharp play with the more precise,
heavy" and careful play Of Mr. Sears great advantage
TO him.
Mr.. Tayior's play much OF tho order, though
possibly the tennis field has veier and more
agile player In meeting and returning the ball. and in
covering the other side OF the net" lie has the "a
cy and faculty Of using the best and the decisive stroke
Just when IL is needed and adds 10 this quality that OF
being hard mtter and effective voeyer These two
players win probably be companions In the doubles
and II they devote themselves careful general play.
with sharp decisive work when the egencies demand 1t
the developments OF the will reveal them as prime
competitors for the first honor Mr.. Taylor at present
holds Long Island championship, and MI Beecsnnsn
is the champion OF the Middle States tournament
In this general forecast Joseph S. Clark the nrse
player OF Philadelphia is not 70 be omitted his talents
well known, but they cannot suffice 70 place MN IN
the same rank with the players Just considered He
careful steady player and possesses the nexpleable
quality Of playing marvellous game at odd times through
the season. His defeat OF Dr. Dwight two years ago
will be remembered In this connection oooIrey u.
Briney Trinity College, who was considered two years
ago rising hope" is capable Of great surprises but
unfortunately this eapabity perversely displayed itsen
last season in general nuke." lack Of commence
steadness may explain this tendency and In SO ar as
he oyercomes it he will make creditable record this
year. rt'
Among the more promising Of tho younger players arc
two young men from Massachusetts-Philip Sears
younger brother OF the champion and Quincy A. Shaw.
IT, both OF Harvard Mr.. Sears is champion OF Harvard
singles, the singles In the Inter-Col-
lcgste Championship last year, and with his partner MI
Shaw secured doubles. 1t is difficult TO say what
Sears will do. The younger Sears is generally con-
sidered player Of much ability and his development
through the will be closely Observed These
young will have little difficulty in retaining tho col
lege honors which they last year. Their most likely
opponents indeed Valentine G. Hall and o. s. Camp
bell, who Will represent Columbia College. They are
gradually getting in trim for the season. and their work
far and in previous leads TO expect better
work In the summers various tournaments.
The season is about open. and the grounds will be
put in fit condition short time II the favorable spring
weather continues Once II has opened, there will be
no rest racket and ball through tho summer for in each
week. from June to September, tournaments have been
ranged
small tournament usher in the is announced
for May II Flushing, L. l. this viii be followed
Decoration Day by j. s. CiarRs Invitation tournament
Philadelphia which Messrs Taylor, Beeclman and Clark
with other will play. In June four large touna
ments arc scheduled on June 10, the championship
contest for the Middle States will be held at ST. George
There are June 20; Orange, N. j.,
the other for tho New England championship New
Haven The westehester Challenge Cup will DO batted
for at the Country Club later In the month.
July gives assurance OF three tournamentsat Eberon
N j., Cedsrhurst L. l., and Southampton L. l., tho
latter for the Long Island championship
August is the prime month for tennis The players are
in ttes TRIM weather superb and the grounds In ex
ceent condition Tournaments may be IN this month
at wentworth and Bar HaTbor. MI sears's invitation
at Nahant was set down for the early part
the month but 1t will probably be given up. Tho cham
nonshp tournament in singles. Ia which ordinarily hs
winner Of the All Corners meets the holder the cham
ponshIp, will be held August 20 at Newport This
decisive match generally followed by succession con.
tests which those who are dissatisfied with the
of the various rounds chance try conclusions