Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-06-03
NEWPORT CHALLENGE CIIP

caused by the repeated failures of our play
ers on English courts HIS been materials
| raised by the reception the foreign .crack'
| received here last season, and already tin
authorities on the other side of the brip,
deep display profound though ncwbor,
respect for the skill of our most exper
tennis players.
In comparing American and Enoiisl
players Goodbody said before leaving
America last fali: Il think that perhaps
our players-certainly one or two of then
ARC better than these on this side, b,l
although l know we have an idea thai
there is wide difference between the ten
mis- in the two countries / consider thi,
quite a mistake, ana any Of our PLAYER:
who thinks he can come over here and ear
ry all before him will very soon find that
he has quite moderated the capabilities o
the best cxpononts of the game here"
This is perhaps the fairest criticism
American players have yet received from
an English authority, and Goodbody is an
authority, standing as he does high up il
the tennis world abroad. Goodbody's visi,
last year pointed strongly to number o.
faults in the play of the Leading American
players, and they have proltcd by tho les
son. He has promised to come again thig
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 III tho two
countries.
Goodbody will probably play in the Eng.
lish championship in July before lie 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 he is expected
to play in tho biggest event each week,
and IL score Of the clcvercst players Amcri
ca can produce will be ready to do battle
with him. But it is possible they may find
more than one foreigner to oppose them,
for our last years visitor promised to urge
some of the other English experts to make
the trip with him this year and play for
the American championship as well us IN
the last few preliminary tournaments he
fore Newport. Nothing definite has ya,
been learned of the plans of the foreign
ers, though the names Of J. PIN, the
champion Of all England, and II. :. Ma
honey, cx-ehampion Of Ireland, have been
mentioned as possible visitors with Good
body
Come one, come all, however, is the
motto of American experts, who will be
better pleased 1he more visitors they eau
entertain, and all are right sure of n
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 arc always made in favor OF
foreign visitors, to whom special invita-
tons will bo ut once extended. The pres
ence of English experts lends an air of III
ternational Importance to our champion
ship meeting, and each defeat the Amcri-
can cracks receive at the hands of for
cigncr teaches them some much needed
lessons in the sport. Those administered
by Goodbody last summer hayo 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 be in active competition again this
season. In fact, there will be only one or
two of the first 90 players in retirement.
ard among those 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 orr championship last August,
will be seen this season even more than
last. He is studyingSat Harvard, but wiz
not be free for tennis before the end of
June, rs he Is playing second base for the
Harvard baseball team.
The doughty little champion will be at
Newport again next August ready to de-
fcnd his title against Az corners. while he
will also play at Chicago for the cham
pionship of the west IN July. The CON
stantly increasing number of invitation
tournaments given each season in this
country makes it more probable that Wrenn
will play often before Newport, for prece-
dent is against the champions entering
many of tho ordinary open tournaments
We may expect to see Wrcnn this year at
West Newton, Chicago, Long Branch, Mar
ragansott Pier, and perhaps Longwood be-
fore the championship, and this should
give him enough practice for the supreme
test of the season.
OF the other experts, the chances of
William A Iarned of Summit. \. j.,
who came so near defeating Goodbody last
August at Newport, are perhaps the
brightest this season. Larned is most
brilliant though cratic player, and the
best Judges agree that he has wonderful
tennis capabilities. It is only n few years
since he was second class player, and his
rise has been very rapid. He is still young
younger than most of the other cracks.
in fact-and 1t is doubtful if he has ye.
reached the zenith of his tennis fame. An.
,-aar,. ayuerjpncn ouqlt to mt him
on the very apex of the heap, if indeed
he does not get there this summer. He is
the strongest player among the few who
might win the championship this season
bv defeating Wrenn. He experts to play
in almost all of the biggest events this
season. and as he already holds the middle
states and the Long Island championships
rs well as the Longwood and Seabright
challenge bowls he will be in almost con-
slant competition.
Fred Hovey hassstarted in this season
With the same old discrimination to retire.
80. of his friends believe ha ,r;u live