The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-21

that in this country II has been perfected
ny a few men OF leisure who could spend
summer after summer in tournament play.
The advantage in the possession Of such
players az its representatives has hitherto
belonged to our own country, snd N we fall
behind In the race II will be because our
rivals have balanced this either by greater
athletic ability, 10y systematic and intel
lectunl application or by training in youth.
The last Is a most important consideration,
and II II in the failure OF lawn tennis TO
gain a footing at English public schools
while II Is cultivated a~ssiduously at schools
IN America and our colonies that our first
great defeat on English turf will be attrib-
utsble. Defeat in those circumstance
would appear to be inevitable, and IL IL not
In itself to he greatly deplored when IL
ZONES, provided that II brings no discour-
agement.
Whether lawn tennis il a desirable
addition to the school curriculum is for
eduoationalists to consider, but how
ever this may be, we are convinced that IL
Is Indispensable for a large proportion
OF our youth. since it affords in an excep-
tional manner the exercise, the healthy
stimulus, the unlimited vista OF improve
ment, the mental and moral training that
characterize games OF the first class, while
IL 10 available to many for whom no other
athletic recreation il equally suitable.
II has been pointed out with great force
that In spite OF eminent examples English
players are neglected. Of method as COM
pared with their American rivals in that they
have no school for acquiring style COM
parable to that which formerly existed
in Dublin; that even the best professional
coaches have been exported to the Con-
tinent. and that for new developments
OF strokes and tactics we have lately had
to loo abroad.
Perhaps the loss OF a championship or two,
to say nothing of the international trophy,
which is shortly to be competedfor, andthere-
with the privilege of providing the ground
for the contest, may be necessary to enforce
mysterious abstentioD OF our champion
from this years contests regrettable as
il may appear in the circumstance Of the
hour NAV be a blessing in Disguise At
any rate the old. IL not all the new. English
admirers Of lawn tennis will not grudge
the winners Of the championships or the
Davis cup their victory. The present
year has already been n OF wholesome
criticism and the commencement Of reform.
Lawn ennis has on the whole been fortunate
until recently in its administration as we'll
as it's players.
For the well drafted code OF rules and
the wise adoption Of tennis traditions il
has to thank the early fathers Of the All
England Lawn Tennis Club. and for it's
world wide extension To no small degree
the Lawn Tennis Association and the cdgDate
body OF the United States. IL the a~ssocia-
ton can effectively the earnest
and undivided support OF It's constituents
we may confidently hope not only that the
credie Of the game. somewhat rudely shaken
by recent controversies. will be restored.
but that there will be no recurrence of the
present difficulty Of finding an international
team and that our PLAYERS will once more
take a foremost part in the DEVELOPMENT
Of skill and ingenuity which the future
is certain to produce"