Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-04
THE FASCINATIoNS OF TENNIS.

The crowning event of the lawn tennis
season was reached this last week at New
port and as far as big tournaments go, there
will be little of interest in the East until the
intercollegiate event early in October. This
latter is usually regarded as the most i'm
portant OF the year, excepting, of course
that at Newport, and this year it will bring
together an unusual number of frst-class
players.
But the season OF 1892 is practically over
and 1t is now time for the annual as 50 rtion
that the year has been the most success sful
in the history OF the game. The assertio n is
sure to be made, for the in crease in the
number of entries at frst-class events like
those Of Longwood, Saratoga, Sou thampton n
and Newport; the intense rivalry
of the leading players and the wide
spread interest in the concluding rounds at
Newport, where 5000 people were present at
one match-all give ample evidence, both
that the game is tightening its hold on our
youth as a means OF recreation, and that
spectators find 1t at least as interesting as
ever before. The assertion is equally sure
to be combated, for lawn tennis is compare
lively O new game and is not q DO pular one
in the literal sense of the word Conse-
quently 1t has met with much adverse criti.
cism (most of which, by the way, 1 believe
to emanate from those who either have not
the ability or the opportunity to pu rsue the
sporty.
Wholesome Criticism Stimulating.
But wholesome adverse criticism is al
ways stimulating to that which possesses
real merit, and lawn tennis has thrived in
spite of its critics. Still, as intimated above.
its position can hardly be called permanept
and secure, and It might be well to take an
nm biased view of its probable future. 1t Is
by no means trivial subject. On the con-
trary IL Is in a sense a serious one. A shrewd
old Englishman about 200 years ago
marked, "lf man were permitted to make
all the ballads he need not care who should
make the laws Of nation" Substitute
"sports' for 'ballads." and 1t seems to me
that the aphorism is equally true. A nations
amusements have vital influence on Its peo-
pie. Germany, with no sports worthy OF
the name, finds q substitute in its unexcelled
gymnasiums and gymnastic training.
France, with neither, finds its amusements
in-but we all know how French morals are
criticised, and further comment is unneces-
sary.
1t is, or rather has been, urged against
lawn tennis that it is "a woman's game"
Women play 1t certainly, and play 1t well.
They doubtless derive from the game much
pleasure and benefit, which surely no one
would be so ungallant as to begrudge them.
However, that is not what is meant by the
criticism. 1t Is contemptuous expression,
intending to characterize the game as lazy,
easy and effeminate. TIE foolish criticism,
which comes only from those ignorant of
Ino pOSs1DlllIl6S OF Lne game, has Oe6n well
answered by one OF Americas crack play
ers. In the official guide for 1892 Richard
Stevens takes occasion TO remark: "There is
about as much difference between an aver
age girls tennis game and q hotly contested
mans singles as there Is between girl
padding in q canoe and a four-mile college
boat race" And those who have seen the
best players OF each sex know it is 80.
Proof of the Comes Character.
IF further proof is needed, look at one of
the close matches at Newport last week,
which was won only after bitter contest
lasting five hours. At the end both con-
testants were so exhausted that they could
scarcely stand. Indeed, this might be taken
as an argument that the game is too severe
for the average man, were it not Tor the TACT
that it is very rarely that q match lasts more
than two ana q half or three hours.
There is another charge sometimes
brought against tennis, with, it must be
acknowle dgee, more grounds for defense.
1t has been stated with some degree OF pride
by leading players that tennis is essentially
"gentlemau's" gamo, and doubtless many
not usually included among those coming
under the head of gentlemen" Tin the En-
glish sense) use this statement as a sneer at
the game. 1t is absurd to suppose that one
must belong to the Four Hundred or be q
millionaire in order to play tennis. but yet
among the society people in the East this
anxiety to keep the game exclusive really
does exist, and in my humble opinion Is
sure Io iniIlre the nonularitv at the oame In,
time.
+bor Tha Soots o a tTaoa -. TSorssh :. ti tu
" aoa dei - y, - o. to r. ..I ~ "a @ %
ot Ia a,., y, @ l,Uns; ., " ue as you
d S, 90, % i,d Tug ~ iI ni suel ~
aat tenn} your ~ raaiIv ~ om m' tha h
gemes 70 Nav JS yon LII .i,,niu ,aI :, co, peS. 80.
Smnsementt and syorcisa Tha o,.ap % ~
simnIe and chean and in and aronnd this
CITY for Instance thara are half a dozsn
cirba as siiy accas.ibIa fro,,, oI, noints Xnd
at the rist IF hringInS down on NV had the
wratb ~ tGose v,o ,yish to taeD tho ,aT1a
aIcInsiva Tbs1iewa II is anJ onopt 20 e%a a
eams for the naon,s in oeneraI Rnt We 20 ora
driftino in to aprannent soain wban what &c
,ranr is foets o. eS"-' "' "A4 w
""i' 40 -@'
Strong Tennis Straw.
ONE imnortant fact /, that one of the
,or,,.., oaoyo,.s a., .,,o,.io, o,co,, g., .h t.
ialSes' ueaieis LII spoi tins sooos III 'ne clsS'
nrm that caters to athletics all over this
half of the State, has larger trade in lawn
tennis goods than in baseball goods. The
dinaranca vas NOT gra.t Int tho. tbaro
e,N.,., ,sTr, ~ I =. o - -
shouiu oo d uinoL aI aii III ia'or Vi lawn
tennis 1s enough to show the wonderful
growth of the game. Amateur baseball is
- ~sz~l.x