The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-05-31
OUTLOOK FOR TENNIS
Possibilities Of American Team
For the Davis Cup.
LARNED IS STILL BEST.


Time Form -- clothisr May Be on
Tsam--erookss and WildIns, Aus.
traIisns, to Visit America.
How to lift the Davis international
challenge cup is the problem which
takes 0rst place In the thoughts Of
lawn tennis players at this time OF the
year. From developments early this
season this has been appreciatvely
realized by those who have the matter
In charge. and DR.. James Dwight,
president Of the United States Nation
al Lawn Tennis association, and the
executive committee have begun task
not at ali easy and somewhat thank
less, especially should defeat be the
teams portion. The opening negotla-
tions for the matches Or. Dwight has
handled with such diplomacy that the
appearance OF the Australians, Nor
man II. Brookes and Anthony y. Wild
Ing, Is assured. In addition to the Eng.
lish team Indeed, this Is feather In
the cap Of the present lawn tennis ad'
minIstratiou, provided the American
wielders OF the racket Of the top flight
support the game as they should and
ns II now appears evident that they
intend 10 do.
SO thoroughly has the governing
body OF the sport come to q realization
OF what must be accomplished In the
way Of building up strong team that
Il Is certain that all Of the men who
have any claim TO distinction whatever
will soon be pegglng away in the most
serious manner 30 as to arrive al
form. The national champion. VII
liam Aymar Larned, Is among this
number, and II must be fairly admit
ted that his game is still OF the old
surprising beauty of accomplishment
and that he stands head and shoulders
above his fellows. Furthermore, be II
said that Larned Is not disposed to
shirk any responsibility that the Ma
tional association may place upon him
al such a time, when the good OF the
American game may stand in some po'
sltion Of jeopardy. From those closest
to Larned 1t is learned that he Will
devote himself to considerable
amount Of play In early tournaments
but that he Is disposed to confine him.
self to grass courts.
OF course the ranking ten OF the ON
cial list have come Into consideration
for the cup team. Broadly speaking
that select number was regarded as O
Joke In some respects when the list
was first issued. and some Of them are
not even now taken or accepted serl
ously in the light of having any posi-
bile opportunity of representing thi;
country against the Englishmen. Beals
G. Wright, ranked second to Larned
has been making a most determined
effort TO attain his usual speed. II Ii
early at present, but the chief fact re
mains that the former internationalis1
has been led to reconsider his previ
ously announced determination not to
take n place ON cup team this year
Recent playing on the part Of Wright
has shown him to be unsteady rather
than suffering from any particular
fault. and us he has gone into some
thing like strict training great improve
ment is to be looked for In a shor'
time.
The next four of the ranking ten
Karl H. Behr. Raymond d. Little
Robert LIE Roy and Clarence Hobart
are said to be most unlikely to make
the team. Behr's father has decided
that his son must confine himself t
business, with only such tennis as hiI
duties win permit Of. Little hal
grown more uncertain with years ant
Is not to be reckoned with. LIE Roy
record last year Is taken with a grain
Of salt" and he is far from having tn
physique to stand any grueling match
es. Hobart is not likely to make tn
team or to be considered because o
his antagonism to the governing body
or the others of the ten young Ed
win P. Larned and Irving g; Wrigh
are regarded as strong, and shoul'
they round out their promise one
both may find a place. But, going be
yond the ten that were ranked, thre
men-William j. Clothier, Fredericl
Alexander and Harold II. Hackett-ar
receiving much consideration. The tai
Philadelphian, Clothier, Is In line agaiI
to get up to llis best, II he can attail
1t, He is receiving enthusiasm iron
Larned and is regarded as one Of tn
likeliest men Of all.
As the matter stands, the officials ar
drumming up the men Of top flight, s.
that there is likely to be more class Of
the American courts this year than Il
the past. With the cup matches hel,
over to August, there is opportunit.
for development. and, on the whole
| the Dlavers are most nhenrfutlv conf