The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-21
LAWN TENNIS HIGH In FAVOR
CANE HAS SWUNG BACK Roth
HERE AND ABROAD.
Greater Interest Noted In the United states
This Season britain Also Finds Sport
stronger Than Tor Some seasons Before
-Our school system Highly Praised.

--Our school system Highly Praised.
The United States National Lawn Tennis
Association this year made provision in it's
schedule for more tournaments than for
many seasons before. There has been an
Increase in the number OF clubs In this
country formed for the purpose OF playing
the game, n leagues for interclub matches
have been springing up everywhere. This
reflects the condition onthe other side too.
The Field Of London finds the matter
worthy of a leader in a recent issue. The
English publication takes occasion at the
same time to point out that the American
method Of encoura ging lawn ennis in the
schools is having its improving effect on
the quality OF the game in this country.
Lawn, tennis undoubtedly did fall of in
favor in the United States, but since has
come back strongly. IL il considered by
many persons here TO he a safe prediction
that the game will increase in popular favor
10 a surprising extent in the next three
seasons. Lawn ennis is regarded as having
shown amazing vitality. because shere are
few sports which have come back 80 onoe
they have dropped from public liking.
What the Field has to say is interesting
70 persons here because whatever may
have been the conditions here a couple
~ years back the boom is on in lawn tennis
here. too. The English sporting paper
says in part:
From many points OF view the ~nnoun
ment that all the reserved seats at the
championship tournament now proceeding
A. Wimbledon had been booked some weeks
in advance may be regarded with satisfac-
ton. There are special reasons why in
the case Of this game the number Of nom
combatant visitors to the great tournament
Of the year can be taken as a rough measure
Of its extension, and why the spectators
~ the championship matches may be be-
lieved 10 be for the most part representative
~ solid growth in the multitude OF those
TO whom the introduction Of lawn tennis has
Afforded wholesome exercise and recrea-
ton. Little experience OF such gatherings
il required to convince one that no mere
craze or propensity is fostered by attending
them. No cause can be eyed for suspect
ing a great gulf between playing and look
ing on; no needfor the lawn tennis apollo
gist to plead that the crowd il diverted from
some more or less vicious ma OF wasting
time or gratifying a craving for excite
inent.
1T must be rene mbered that lawn tennis
owes nothing to external assistance. Dur
ing the greater part OF the last twenty years
il has received much ignorant derision and
but little praise from the press Of the coun-
try. IL has been declared again and again
10 be dead or dying. while its solid merits
have all the time been gaining for IL hosts OF
recruits in every part OF the civilized world.
In TACT the growth Of the annual tOurna-
ment list, itself an index Of the increasing
supply Of players, the gradual and quiet
progress which has at last made itself felt
and the voluntary accession Of hosts Of fine
athletes preceded the burst Of recognition
which occurred but two or three seasons
back
The number and spread OF the entrants
for the recent All England championships
also impresses the writer OF the article.
He speaks Of the Americans and others in
tho recent tournament. which for the first
time was won by other than an Englishman.
II is curious to note how the sort Of prophecy
In this article written before the tournament
has been verified by the victory Of Norman
F.. Brookes, an Australasian, in the cham
pionship round. The writer continues:
"A glance at the programme Of the All
England championships may suffice TO
suggest a number OF questions concerning
the present and future status Of lawn tennis
In this country; There was a date in the
it was almost as popular as IL 10 At present,
owing to the sudden and wonderful develop
ment of the skill Of q mail band Of players.
of whom the late Messrs. William and Ernest
Hen9nAW were tlo lceueTS. bY WAY Oh
contrast II would appear that we have now
reached q lean year In respect OF British
talent, inasmuch as the holders Of the
championships. who have TO no mail eV-
tent repeated the personal attraction Of
their famous precursors: nave retired from
the brilliant feats, the chivalrous sports
manship, the unfailing enthusiasm Of the
Renshaws, and kept alive by a succession
OF admirable champions. is now in such u
position as to be able to run alone.
-Of the numerous candidates for the va
can't titles il may be said that not Britons
but colonial and foreign visitors engage
the largest amount OF public curiosity.
The fact that avn tennis has become a
universal rather than a national game,
capable Of affording what are now called
Olympic contests in a more complete man.
ner than any other. is indicated by the
Wimbledon lists OF names. For the Rem
shaw cup not only are sspirants from the
tnited States containing with the flower
NJ Australasia but India and Egypt are
represented by their champions and Austria
has 10 be reckoned with.
Among the ladies' who are candidates
for the honor of challenging Mrs, Chambers
for the title is Miss Sutton from the Pacific
Coast, who has once before carried the
championship to her distant home, together
with Canadian South American and Austrian
players. Though France Is unfortunately
without n delegate. II il not that she is desti-
Tute OF players Oh tuo hIst RAIN n Dcikldu
contingent has previously visited us with
distinction, and will be heartily welcom q
on its next appearance, while OF other
European countries which have the means
Of making a creditable show whenever they
can mobilize their full strength Holland.
Sweden and Prussia may be particularly
instanced.
The time has passed when the rivalry
NJ competitors from abroad was welcome
indeed, but far from formidable; and while
We are now indebted to our visitors Tor
much Of the attractiveness OF the years
Championships. there is no little cause for
apprehension that we may have TO CON
gratulate some OF them upon having made
a greater advance than our own best men
can show"
Passing TO the international matches.
the Field INDUCES in a criticism OF the I'M
progressiveness OF the British in railing TO
Irovide more interscholastic play. In the
United States not only do several Of the
sniyersities hold tournaments for the
schoolboys to the end Of selecting a national
interschOlastic champion but the PUBIC
Schools Athletic League also recently has
undertaken a systematic plan Of work IN
the game for the high school lads. The
cons Ieration OF the points follows:
"lp tho ,,a.Nliar III naaa IF In Wn tennis for