New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-14
National Champion Stands
Alone in Unofficial Rank
ing for Season.
WILLIAMS NEXT IN LINE
William M. Johnston, New Star
from California, Climbs to
Great Heights in First
Eastern Invasion.

s-ouing 10 q close. Inc leNle" VI the
~.o,t tournaments emphasizes the
80, that Youthful aspirants have pushed
,,,, ~ the front Never before in the
,Is,orv of the American game have SO
r,snv Of the younger players figured as
disabilities for the top ten.
IN one respect the judgment of close
s,udsn,s ~ form will occasion comment.
ss William NJ Johnson, the young Cali
tornia player. IS generally conceded the
riaca Of No. 10 Maurice f. Mclaughlin
and p Norris Williams ID. The boys
NAV Of course. was phenomenal 1t is
unusual however. for a player 10 leap 10
such a high place in the list and attain
such recognition in a single season.
The ranking committee Of the United
States Lawn Tennis Association. consist
ing Of Miles $ Charlock. Charles NJ.
Bull jr. and George 7. Adee. whose
work gave suct unanimous satisfaction
last year is now busy with the official
list. which Is expected TO be ready at an
earlier date than usual Mr.. Adee an
nounced yesterday that more than
thousand players throughout the coun-
t-v had been notified that records must
be properly filed with the committee be-
fore The FIRST OF next month.
Mclaughlin stands practically alone
as did his predecessors. Billy Larned. and
naturally heads the list for the second
consecutive year The powerful Califor-
nisn IS distinguished as being the first Of
the American champions 10 play through
the aIl-comers tournament in order 20
sustain his right to the title. McLough-
lin won the championship last month
coming through the great tournament at
the Casino at Newport with the loss OF
only one set. and that in the final match,
10 r. Norris williams Cd, who was his
team mate in the successful quest for
the Davis cup. Williams naturally takes
second place. the same as he did last
wear. and there IS no difference OF opin-
ion as 20 the worthiness Of these rank
ings
There IS some debate as 10 the next
Mace. but the majority believe that II
will properly go TO William NJ. Johnston.
the year-old boy from the Pa
ciAc Coast. who created such a furor on
Eastern courts at the beginning Of the
season. Johnston performed well and SEN
sationally Beginning at Longwood, he
amazed the old tournament campaigners
by stepping into McLoughlins shoes. He
took the title coming through one Of the
greatest fields ever gathered in Boston
eliminating Touchard. Clothier and Gard
ner among others.
Moving on 70 the New York State cham
pionship at the Crescent Athletic Club
at Bay Ridge. Johnston won through a
fair field. not losing a set until the final
in which he met :. Howard Noshell. The
boy did not lose a match until he met
Clothier in the fourth round Of the tour
uament Of the Meadow Club at South
ampton.
At Newport Williams required four sets
70 beat young Johnston In the fourth
round at 6-3. ca. Sc, Sc. and while
later the youngster yielded In the Nj
agara tournament, his playing was so
strong and his record so good before ne
became stale from everyday as TO entitle
him 10 the No. position.
P. A. Vale. the English critic, SOUNDS
the praises OF Johnston in the following
words for the official publication OF the
national association:
'T have been asked 70 give my opinion
OF Johnston's game. II is the soundest
and best Of any new player I have seen
in ten years. Against Man he played IN
three sets two bad strokes. while his
tactics were almost fawless. In fact, for
one so young. they were wonderful. With
NNsNG. NNNn I'D l.
ence ne will defeat the best players in
the world. When he has added a back
hand drive 20 his repertory OF strokes,
he will indeed be formidable antagonist
HIS form, generally speaking, is very
good and his strokes are admirably and
soundly produced.
Generally speaking. Beals c. Wright
tells ma that he holds the same opinion
Of Johnston as do. but he does not &c
quite so far as / do I think Johnston IL
rnpcb nearer 10 being a great player than
mapv people give him credit for being
| consider him a sounder player than
either Mclaughlin or Williams Ihes
usu have 70 look 70 II IN quick order II
thev desire 10 retain their positions foi
the Newcomer has everything that goes
70 make a really great player.
Clo,hier ia generally credited with nav
Ing earned the place OF No. T. ms one
GOOD victory OF the season was az eout"'
ampton where, in the final OF the MS
toric tournament, he defeated Touchalu
IN straight sets. In the Ail-CoHlers' a.
Newport Clothier made a much poole,
showing in the match for the seml-iiha
round against Mclaughlin than was eA'
pected for the latter defeated him WIN
out extending himself, 6-3. TO, e-4. III
the estimation OF the critics CIoth'e'
drops behind young William johnson
chiefly because the Longwooo Tournament
is held 10 count for more than south
smpton.
Wallace + Johnson. who was the re-
serve PLAYER on the Davis Cup team ID
moved back two numbers from the posi-
ton Of No. 3. which he occupied last
year Johnson played well. but did MOI
come on al the end Of the season any
where as strongly as was expected lie
vas beaten at Southampton and came
through the Ali-Comers without getting a
dangerous opponent until he struck John
r. strachan, the young Californian VINO
won the clay court title. Johnson won
this match 2-S. GO. e. O.. and there
by arrived al the semi-fnal. where ne
met Mclaughlin. He failed utterly 10
stand the national champion on.
There is a shifting Of opinion Az TO the
hext two players on the list-Nstnanlel
". Niles and George Peabody Gardner
IT, Gardner defeated Niles at Longw0od.