Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-09-15
CALIFORNIA RED-HEAD
EASILY RATED AS BEST
TENNIS PLAYER OF DAY
U. S. Ranking Officials Have
No Difficult Task Deciding
on Johnston-"Comet"
Must Change Style
MAY YET BE CONTENDER

In comparison with that of last year,
the Ranking Committee of the United
states National Lawn Tennis Association
VIII this year have an easy task, at least
SO far as ranking the leading players is
concerned. Despite early season defeats
and later defeat at the hands of r.
Norris Williams. I'd, of Philadelphia,
National Champion William NJ. Johnston,
the red-haired youth from sunny Cali
fornia, is clearly entitled to the place.
Johnston has lost five matches since
the start of the season. In the Panama =
Pacific Exposition finals at San Francisco
he was defeated by Mclaughlin; at Long
wood Niles gained the verdict after five
long-drawn-out sets; Byford, a compara-
lively unknown player, put him out at
Chicago and Pell defeated him at South
ampton But his victories over Behr,
Williams and Mclaughlin in the all
important national championship COM
pletely overshadowed these defeats
Even Williams victory in the last If
the East vs.West matches, which ended
in favor of the West by a to 5 count,
cannot be seriously considered. for after
his double victory in the all-comers 1t
was only natural that Johnston should re-
lax from the high tension that carried
him to success, just as Williams relaxed
last year and lost to Church in the inter-
collegiates.
The new national champion is a tennis
player without a decided weakness, un-
less it be in his service. Unlike most
Californians, Johnston does not get
much of break. Instead he places his
service so that 1t may draw his oppo-
nent out of position. For instance, he
served to McLoughlin's back-hand at
Forest Hills. and when Mac" ran
around the ball in order to get it on his
forehand Johnston would run in to mid
court and volley the return to the far
corner.
Johnston's use of the mid-court posi-
ton for volleying came in for a great
deal OF comment, since 1t IS very little
used in this country. although British
players volley from that position very er-
fectively.
Mclaughlin. despite his loss OF the
doubles title and his defeat by Johns
ton in the singles final is far from al
in as a tennis player of the first rank
The California Comet" sooner or later.
must give up the service he has used 50
long and successfully.
That bending back. then uncoiling and
striking like a snake, followed by a quick
leap to the net, use up too much energy.
During the tournaments that preceded
the national chamL ionship, Mclaughlin
devoted considerable time TO developing
his base-line plays, a department of the
game in which he has been notoriously
weak improvement in this. and the ad-
dition of a fair back-hand stroke will
make McLoughlin still a contender for
championship honors.
Despite rumors to the contrary. IL is
hardly likely that a Philadelphia club
will put In a serious bid for the national
championship at the annual meeting Of
the u. s. N. L. T. A. next winter Even
the supporters OF Newport last winter had
20 admit that the West SHE Tennis Club
went the Newport Casino one better in
arrangements.
The Philadelphia Cricket Club holds the
women's national championship annually
Should one OF the local clubs bid for the
mems national. II Is hardly likely that IL
would be permitted TO come here unless
the women's championship is removed
Then before long Philadelphia, Instead or
holding a national tennis championship
annually. as II does now, will be getting
II about once in 10 years