The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-30
FAMOUS TENNIS
PLAYER Is DEAD
R. E. DOherty, Worlds Title
Holder, Dies in London.
EXPIRED AFTER LONG ILLNESS
with His Brother, ii. L., lie Was
backbone of British Team that
Lifted Davis Cup-EIder Player,
While Strong in Singles, Made
Speciality of Doubles Play.

London. Dec ar. F. Doherty one
.of The Doherty brothers. the famous ten
mis- players. is dead. He and his brother.
H. l. Doherty, were leading tennis ex-
perts for many years.
To American lawn tennis players the
names of the famous Dohertys had been
merely record Of wonderful perform
ance until the challenge fer the Dwight
F. Davis international cup was received
in 1902 Then il became known that il
was the intention OF the BTitOns TO send
over their peerless players. Reginald +
Doherty and his brother Hugh Lawrence
Doherty, accompanied by DR.. Joshua
PIN 1t was the first appearance upon
American courts OF the Dohertys, and
they acquitted themselves well. for, rela-
lively, they were feeling OUT the Ameri-
cans, and the taller, r F, Doherty, took
the singles on the courts Of the Crescent
Athletic club. at Bay Ridge. with DIR.
PIN. reserving the little Do for the
doubles.
While in this country. r. F. Doherty
wrote a book about lawn tennis, which
he dedicated TO the Grand Duchess Anas-
tasia, of Mecklenhurg-Schw he had
'AtfAi pay FA With tltE bll TIE NDtai u VI
Europe and il is said that there was a
strong attachment between the two
Could Take Joke.
r F. Doherty won many friends while
in this country, for he was OF a joviaJ
nature. and liked nothing better than
practical joke or a tilt Of wit He was
always ailing, however. and his smaller
brother used 10 amuse the crowds about
the courts al the Casino By telling them
how their father eot "R p 20 play ten
mis- 10 improve his health. and III l."
was therefore compelled 20 get into the
game, as the older brother had been so
humord that he would not play unless
the younger engaged with him
The Little Do" also recounted how It
was impossible 10 get Reggie" past an
apothecary shop The elder brother, he
declared, was always anxious 10 take
some remedy for his real OF imaginary
ills. and the Little Do" averred that
their rooms were Uttered with bottls OF
medicine and pills which "R F. bought
in wholesale lots.
Held Every Championship.
In the estimation Of European players
and those Of this country, Reginald F.
Doherty was one OF the greatest players
mat the game OF lawn tennis mas pro-
duced. At various times he held every
championship OF any Importance that
the world OF tennis has 10 offer He was
only beaten when his health began 10 de-
cline. Altogether. he did much 20 place
the game as a leading sport in England,
and ii was practically through his wise
GeneralshiP and captaincy in 1903 that
the Davis international cup was lost By
this country and has never been re-
gained
Boston, Dee e9.-Lawn tennis euthusi-
asts in New England heard with regret
to-day Of the death OF Reginald Doherty,
whose American career on the grass
courts, with his brother. Hugh l. Do
heriy, formed brilliant page in the his
tory of the game on this side OF the At
lantic
Because Of his height and length of
arm, r. F. Doherty was a wonderful
''getter,' while his general game was
marked Icy its graceful ease and calcu-
lating stc. diness. This, coupled with his
brothers rilliancy, made a combination
that Siths5Ood the attacks OF the best
payer m the world for many years.