The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-13
JOHNSTON WIN VICTORY
FOR AMERICAN METHOD
Playing Form of New Tennis Champion Much Superior
to That of Either Williams
or Mclaughlin.

ards should profit by his example. II
the next crop OF embryo champions
copies his methods we shall not lack
for material for Davis cup teams when
the International matches are resumed
after the war IL over.
1t has seemed inexplicable to the great
majority OF those who saw the cham
pion at work last week how so small and
slight a man could get such power in
his strokes. Johnston. Weighing less
than 1875 pounds, gets more pace on the
ball than any heavy man We have. ex-
cept possibly McIoughlin in his smash
ing and express" service. The secret
lies In his perfect coordination OF body
swing. arm swing and magnificent tim
Ing of the stroke. In this feature he
excels even Larned. and his wrist flick.
which adds the snap to the whiplash
forehand stroke. Is brought TO play Just
at the moment OF impact, as McLoughlln
does IL. In fact, this snap OF the wrist
is the chief feature that gives speed TO
the Comets terrific forehand drives. but
i is totally absent in his backhand
stroke.
%Johnston's backhand stroke 10 peculiar
to himself. His racket passes under the
ball rather than over IL, as Pell makes
the stroke, but he o not chop II or
slice like Bundy or Wallace johnson or
drag the stroke in the English style IKE
Williams. II Is an American stroke
with some back spin, but II 10 made with
a full swing. a high elbow and free arm.
and he follows through well in making
the shot. The champion Is able TO keep
the ball low and fast, not losing speed
as the chop stroke players do. BY his
undercut. He Is able TO control this
stroke particularly we'll and some OF his
short cross court shots made with this
backhand are very effective. while he "
also able to shoot the ball Along the
line for a passing stroke without notice
able change OF his position.
Another welcome feature OF the new
champions play is his service. Without
any attempt at the American twist or
the exaggerated break that goes with
that delivery Johnston secures a very
aggressive service that costs him far
less effort than those who twist them
selves into knots and bend their backs
almost TO the breaking point In imita-
ton of Mclaughlin. In a long. hard
match this saving OF strength Is OF
great value and some OF those who saw
McLoughl!n's exhausted condition at the
end OF the finals last week thought this
difference in waste energy due 10 the
strain turned the balance IN favor OF the
new champion. Certain II is that John
ston was stronger and less
than the Comet at the end OF that MEM
orable struggle.
Already there Is a good deal OF dis
cussion among the players as 10 whether
Johnston should be rated FIRST in the
official ranking this year II will be re-
membered that the same question was
raised at the end OF last season when
Williams won the championship. and he
was not placed at the head OF the rank
ing LIST. A similar situation has come
up now and there are many arguments
on both sides.
outside OF the championship tourna-
ment Johnston's record for the season
10 poor. as he was beaten by Niles. Pell
and Byford Of Chicago. in addition 10
Williams and Mclaughlin.