The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-16

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there been so great field of players whose
bonors are question for the future TO de-
eide
The increasing number OF tournament
plavers is best demonstrated by glancing
back at the entry lists of the annual meet
ings OF the National Lawn Tennis associa-
ton for the championship of America at
Newport, X. J., the first Of which was held
in 1881. In that year there were - en-
tries: in 1889. 40; in 1888, 81; IN 1884, IS; in
1885. q: in 1856. 81; In 1887, "a; in 1888, 3S;
in 1889 80; in $780, SO. and in 1891. ~.
The number, as will be seen, did not
show any remarkable advance until 1890;
but fftv-three entries was then regarded
as phenomenal, and when last year the
number was increased by nineteen, appre-
tensions were aroused as 20 the difficulty
Of completing the event within the allot-
ted time of one week. These apprehensions
were we'll founded, for with the most expe-
ditious handling IL required ten days OF ac-
tual MAY TO decide the championship, and
eleven including the Sunday which inter
yeped. IL will become serious question
for the association TO grapple with should
the entries continue TO increase, or even TO
eauAl the list Of 1891. No amateur can be
barred from championship, and yet such
a number not only tediously prolongs the
tournament, but also puts an undue bur-
den Oh the experts who have TO fight their
way through the riffrafI before they come
near the championship. Ii further gives a
tremendous advantage 90 the champion
who comes fresh TO the fray against aR OPP
ponent who, for upward of week, has
been vanquishing one rival after another.
The only apparent solution Of the prob
lem is the suggestion TO hold O second
class tournament simultaneously with the
championship, in hopes of drawing away
the mediocre mass The question arises
would they take the baiti Many of them
enter for the express purpose OF seeing
how long they can hold out ia the great
est American lawn tennis contest.
Thus the winning OF the ell-comers
match LARGELY resolves itself into the ques-
ton Of which of the leading players pos
sesses the greater endurance, and should
the winner, technically termed "tbe chal-
IenRer," defeat the champion 1t would in
dicate a very decided superiority on his
part. The fact that the champion, o. S.
Campbell, Of Brooklyn, succeeded in de-
Tending his title against Clarence Hobart,
of New York, last year was in no small
measure due to the latter's exhaustion
and consequent loss of nerve. During the
first two sets the challenger played with a
pace and accuracy against which Camp
BELLS wonderful volleying was powerless.
When the champion was not passed his
racket was twisted in his hand by the
force Of the ball or he returned the ball in
so weak manner that it was Immediately
KILLED" by his opponent. IL was Camp
BELLS wonderful GOODNESS, judgment and
tenacity that finally wore his tired oppo-
nent down and gave him the victory. Had
both been equally fresh the result might
have been different
While there are more worthy aspirants
this year than ever before, it seems proba-
bic for the reason stated that Mr.. Camp
bell will again be able TO retain his title.
In headwork and nerve he has never been
excelled by any American player, and ex-
Champion Sears alone among first class
men has equaled him, but as regards exc
cution and tennis as a display Of skill,
Clarence Hobart and f. II. Hovey, of Har-
ward, are regarded by many as his superb
ors The latter is the most brilliant
player in the country, and were it not that
he lacks just those qualities for which
Campbell is remarkable, he would I'M
doubtedly stand at the head of American
players, il not Of the world. His career
has been cratic and uncertain. Some
times'he knocks over the experts in slash
ing style and again he succumbs to de-
cided inferior
Hobart and Hovey are two most conspic-
nous aspirants for championship honors.
r. p Huntington, Jr, who ranked third
last year, was recently married TO Miss
Helen Dinsmore, OF New York, and has
apparently dropped out with the older vet
Grams, X. ID. Sears, II. W. Slocum, Jr,
Howard A. Taylor and Il. J.. Beeckfnan.
To I'll up the ranks have come many others