New-York tribune., 1907-08-26
NEWPORTLAWN TENNIS
Final Matches of the National Tour
nament Begin To-day.
TBy Telegraph to The Tribune, ]

,-eH-norr II. J., Aug. 25.-UpOn the eve OF the
snaI matches which will decide the all-comers ma
-.onal lawn tennis championship in singles, the
rayers about tine courts and club to-day have been
tsrzssing the subject Of the champion playing and
she prospect of International competitions next year
The first topic one which has received more at
.on.ion this season than heretofore. was the out
or,a of tlae discussion as 20 whether William a
Tarnel or Clarence Hobart stood the better chance
81 winning his way through to become the chal-
1anger Of William J Clothier. holder Of the
.ional title With harmed as the VICTOR, IL the
General opinion that the old system would remain.
while with Hobart any one OF the younger play
ers Herbert L. westfail Richard II. Palmer
Robert Leroy. being successful the chances of a
change were regarded more likely of consumna-
rion-
Prince Wilhelm OF Sweden visited the clubrooms
during che hours around noon. ana fraternized in
democratic manner with those Of the players as
se,r,bied there. This brought I'D the subject that
a year ego Sweden had expected 80 enter team
for the Davis cup contests at London. His royal
hsEhness appeared 20 be much interested in lawn
-erlris. and related that at the tournament held
a. Stockholm early this year, the best of the
English racket wielders had visited Sweden and
carried off the major portion of the prize list He
lA<ghinsly stated that this had been expected bat
that IA return for the trophies the Britons had
taught his counrryTnen much good tennis and had
done considerable toward popuIarizing the game in
Sweden. where II was fast finding favor and de-
veiopng some excellent experts. who would later
he thought. visit England and capture some OF the
British prizes The prince said that Swedish lawn
tennis players would welcome Americans. and left
4 general invitation OF them TO visit his
country, the lessons which they would imp2rt
would be valuable.
out or playing through thrashed out in no un-
certain way. Larned has all along stood as the
champion Of the old system. in which he has been
rrhed By the majority or the veterans The fact
shat only times in tvventy-six Years has the
-ired winner of the tournament been successful
against the standing out champion coming fresh
u-r aal1 70 lar mol q II
argument that the old method of deciding the ma
ronal title on the courts is weak one, and should
he changed. do the supporters OF the challenge
system feel that the fact that lawn tennis is the
only sport in which such system prevails has
ANYTHING do with the matter On the other hand
Hobart is oufspokenly in favor of the change 10
me champion and all others being on an equal
basis and playing through He made his position
clear on the matter when he refused 10 challenge
Iar71ed for the cup 8,ongwOod earlier this month
He TOW points the fact that Clothier. in having
zen DAYS to recover from his injury. may Yet save
his t.:e as the champion. while had Clothier been
compelled TO play through he would not have had
sucl distinguished advantage. Inanifestly unfair,
according those who favor the change which VIII
make il necessary for the champion TO enter and
rlav through from the f>5t round.
Kari II. Behr has advocated the change. as do
several Of she executive committee. and those sup
rlc--ug change roofing for Hobart victory,
ss they the establishment of the newer
and fairer system. Among those who know the
INSIDE workings Of lawn tennis affairs il is said
that there will be no American challenging inter
national team next year The AustTalasiars, Nor
man E. Brookes and Anthony F Wilding. purpose to
take the worlds trophy TO Australia. according to
the information gathered here and this is regarded
as too long a trip fo- Americans. II is also de-
ciared that with the form shown at this time
there would be small chance OF recruiting team
that would stand an equal chance of winning
against either the Australasians or EnglishTnen
According the position taken here by the lawn
tennis officials there is possibility Of an Aneri-
rzr challenge being issued for the Davis cup for
the next wears at least
Under the warmth OF the sun and the nursing of
the grounds men. the courts promise TO be in the
best of condition for the closing matches of the
tournament. Hobart against w f johnson. the
young Phila6eiphian holds the feature position on
the say's card tomorrow. Palmer's meeting with
r.e4ov ard NestfaII's match with Lsrned attain
importance also. but the first mentioned VIII he de-
cide6 upon the championship court
Al along the line the chances OF the younger
PLAYERS are regarded good for the working out
Of IN upset the field is reduced 20 the four
men who Will meet in the selni-nnals.