The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-10

u
YRcprssentng the championship OF America
and held by Robert ID. wrenn.l
ful reputation Of American experts abroad
caused by the repeated failures of our play
ers on English courts has been materially
raised by the reception the foreign "craok"
received here last season, and already the
authorities on the other side Of the briny
deep display profound though newborn
respect for the skill Of our most expert
tennis players
In comparing American and English
players Goodbody said before leaving
America last fall: ~ think that perhaps
our players-certainly one or two Of them
arc better than those on this side, but
although I know wo have an idea that
there is wide difference between the ten
mis- In the two countries consider this
quite q mistake, and any Of our players
who thinks he oan come over here and car
~ all before him will very soon find that
ne has quite underrated the capabilities OF
the best exponents Of the game here"
This Is perhaps the fairest criticism
American players have yet receivcd from
an English authority, and Goodbody Is an
authority, standing as he docs high up in
the tennis world abroad. Goodbody's visit
last year pointed strongly to number OF
players. and they have proflted by the les
son. He has promised to como again this
summer, and before another season has
rolled by, and Its tennis battles have be-
come part of history. we shall probably
have had the chance Of again testing the
comparative skill of the players In the two
countries.
Goodbody will probably play In the Eng
lish championship In July before he comes
TO this country, so we should not expect
him before the last OF July. From the
Longwood tournament, however, TO the
championship at Newport no Is expected
to play in the biggest event each week,
and n score of tho cleverest players Ameri-
ca can produce will be rcady TO do battle
with him. But IL is possible they may find
moro than one foreigner to oppose them,
for our last year visitor promised to urge
some Of tho other English experts to make
the trip with him this year and play for
the American championship as we'll as in
the last few preliminary tournaments be-
fore Newport. Nothing definite has yet
been learned Of the plans OF the foreign
ers, though tho names Of j. PIN, the
champion of all England, and II. s. Ma
honey, ex-champion OF Ireland, have been
mentioned as possible visitors with Good
body. .u
"Come one, como all, however, is the
motto of American experts, who will be
better pleased tho moro visitors they can
entertain, and all are right suro OF a
hearty welcome to these shores. The Ma
tional Lawn Tennis association s rules per-
NIT only members Of recognized American
clubs TO play for the championship, but
exceptions are always made in favor Of
tett 20, hat nx.i Tn
tions will be nc once extended, The pres
ence Of English experts lends an air of in
ternational Importance to our champion
ship meeting, and each defeat the Ameri-
can cracks" receive at the hands Of n for
eigner teaches them some much needed
lessons In the sport. Those administered
by Goodbody last summer have been the
most valuable received In many years.
America Is well prepared TO meet any
foreign invasion OF our tennis arena this
season. OF the first ten players of the land,
according to the official estimate every one
will DO in active competition again this
season. In fact, there will be only one or
two of the first 90 players in retirement,
and among those a little further down
IN the list are many who may develop
championship form long before 1895 is
buried and forgotten. Champion Robert
Wrenn, who alone stood between Good
body and our championship last August,
will be seen this season even more than
last. He is studying at Harvard, but will
not be free for tennis before the end Of
Juno, as he Is playing second base for the
Harvard baseball team
The doughty little champion will be at
Newport again next August ready 10 do
fend his title against all comers, while he
will also play at Chicago for the cham
pionship Of tho west in July. The con-
stantly Increasing number OF invitation
tournaments given each season I'm this
country mai<es Il more probable that wrenn
will play often before Newport, for proco-
dent Is against the champions entering
many Of the ordinary open tournaments.
We may expect 60 see wrenn this year at
West Newton, Chicago, Long Branch, Mar
ragansctt Pier, and perhaps Longwood bc-
fore the championship, and this should
give him enough practice for the supreme