Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-12
WILLIS {. DAVIS, STAR
ON COURTS, LOOKED TO
FIGURE IN TITLE PLAY
Young Pennsylvania Uni
versity Tennis Player
May Enter Intercollegi-
ate Con t te s National
Journeys New Rule.

The absence Of Willis f. Davis from
lawn tennis competition In Philadelphia
and vicinity during the last month or
two has been the source of much regret
to tennis enthusiasts. Davis, who played
No. on the Philadelphia Cricket Clubs
team in the Interclub Tennis League
matches last spring. then freshman at
the University of Pennsylvania, was
spending his first year away from his
home in sunny California. hence was
anxious to return Immediately after the
close Of the scholastic year.
1t is hoped that Davis will return East
In time to take part in tho intercollegiate
Lawn Tennis Championship at Merton,
during the week of September 10. Since
Wallace F. Johnson won the interoollegl-
ate singles title in 1909 the Red and Blue
has been without serious contender for
lawn tennis supremacy. In Davis 1t has
a likely winner. II will be remembered
that Davis forced National Champion
r. Norris williams to two hard sets at
S-6, Sd early in the year in match be-
tween Harvard and the Philadelphia
Cricket Club on the dirt courts at St
Martins.
Since rnen it is safe to presume that
Davis has improved, and perhaps devel-
oped strength In his back-court game.
He is the possessor of a corking service.
and every other phase Of his game. with
the exception OF the base line, is high
class.
On his opponents service Davis wastes
little time in futile rallying, but plays
for clean ace or a miss on the first re-
turn. trusting eventually TO break
through. When backed by a strong all
around game, and service Of dazzling
speed. this type OF tennis is almost un-
beatable.
The recent announcement of the ma
tional all-comers' tournament that will
be held at the West Side Lawn Tennis
Club beginning August 80, must have
rlled some OF the local authorities (used
advisedly), who were strongly in favor
of moving this event from Newport 10
Forest Hills, h. l. The principal argu-
was much more convenient to Philadel-
phia than Newport, therefore a greater
number of Philadelphia stars (also used
advisedly) would be able to play.
But at the West Side the national event
will be less an all-comers' tournament
than heretofore. In the first place, the
entrance fee has been raised to IS, and in
the second place club secretaries, through
whom entries must be made, are warned
not to forward the name of any player
who would be other than a serious con-
tender. That let's out all but a mere
handful of PhiladelphlanH, and that hand
full would enter even II the tournament
were to be played at Newport,
The little stunt OF the National Com
mittee does away with one of the evils
connected with tournament tennis. 1t has
been the custom for players who know
they have absolutely no chance to enter
tournaments merely for the sake of hav'
ing club privileges for the week.
Those who have been advocating Forest
Hills for the benefit of Philadelphians had
this idea in mind, for by paying the en-
trance fee. and either defaulting OF
losing in the first round, the players will
have the privilege OF witnessing the
matches during the remainder of the
tournament without additional expense
Now they will have to pay for that priv
ilege.