Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-23
MATCHES WILL STIR
UP MUCH INTEREST
Tennis Contests at Wimbledon
Should Provide Magnificent
Sport This Year.

LONDON. February c2.-lnternational
interest will once more be paramount III
lawn tennis during the coming season.
and the competitions in the Olympic games
should be even more attractive TO follow
,rs of the game than those for the Davis
cup last year. A strong committee of
MANAGEMENT has been formed. which in
cludes. among others. Messrs. a. E. Hick-
son. Fl. l.. Doharty. A. w. Gore. 5. IL.
Smith and ii. Roper Barrett.
The Olympic contests will include COW
cred court as well grass court COM
petitions. and for each of these there will
be ladies' singles championship and
mems singles and doubles championships.
Nominations may only he made by the
countries entering for the games. and each
country may enter twelve competitors Tor
the ladies' singles. twelve for mems sin
giles and six couples for mems doubles.
Players will not be allowed to compete
unless entered by their country. The
covered court contests have been fixed
for May at Queens Club. and the grass
court games Will be played at W1nfple-
don July g.
The championships a Wimbledon this
YEAR should provide magnificent sport. n.
T.. Brooks has expressed his intention
OF coming over again to defend his title.
II. L. Doherty has definitely decided to
S. II. Smith possibly competing as well
there should be some heroic matches
If Mr.. Brooks does make the journey.
Australasia. who vanquished all opposi-
tiol last year. will probably be represent
ed once more by himself. A. +. Wildiug
twho. with Mr.. Brooks. holds the doubles
championship. and. very possibly. L. o. s.
Poidevin and If these play in the Olympic
games as well they may add yet an
other success to last years. They will.
however. have harder task than in 1907.
The United States has decided to enter
for the Olympic games. and it is to be
hoped that her representatives Will also
he seen in the championships. Beals
Wrights form at Wimbledon last year
was AS good as that shown by any of
our countrymen. while MIR. Karl Behrs
match against the champion proved him
10 be player who may attain to the
these two there are several first-class
players in the States who might come
over. and if they do so the American
team will be very formidable.
With regard to the prospects CT this
country 1908 should see a great improve
ment in the quality of English lawn ten
mis-. The English ladies. usual should
generally hold their own against all COM
Crs. in spite of the fac that an American
lady holds the proud title of champion.
If Miss Sutton changes her mind and
returns to these shores this summer she
will find most of her old opponents ready
II take the field. Mrs. Lambert Cham
bers is undoubtedly our leading lady play
er at present, but she is run very close
by Mrs. Sterry. who alone defeated Miss
Sutton last year. and by Miss Lowther.
These three players will PROBABLY all he
available. and together with Mrs. Lar
CoTIrbe- Mrs. Lizard, Miss \. n. G. Greene,
Miss Eastlake Smith. Miss Pinckney, Miss
Merton. Mrs. Hillyard and Miss Boothby
also available. the selection committee
sEculd have no difficulty in getting really
strong team All followers of the game
will regret the death of Miss c. Meyer,
who. with Mrs. Hillyard, won the doubles
championship last year.
The prospects of the success of Eng
lishnen are infinitely brighter than in
1897. when, notwithstanding the plUcky
efforts of our represe natives. Messrs.
Gore, Roper Barrett and Eaves. we lost
both the championships and the Davis
cup to Australasia. 1t is greatly hoped
that r. r. DOherty. whose magnificent
Play last year in the London covered
court doubles championships is still fresh
in the memory of all who saw it, will
follow his younger brothers example and
pia,- once more in earnest. There is no
payer so capable of recovering the cham
pionship for England as he, should he
enter. 1t is unfortunately, doubtful If f.
l.. Riseley will be able to play How
ever. y. w. Gore, in his old form. and
Messrs. Roper Barrett. Richie and G.. w
Hillyard. the ''old brigade" on whom the
country has SO often relied. should hold
their own with the best OF them.