Evening star., 1915-05-31

achieved on the lawn tennis courts by
r. Norris Williams, Maurice E. Nc
Loughlin, William johnson and several
others 1t seems that racquet welding z
Is young mans game, writes Paul
Gibbons in the Philadelphia Ledger.
For tho players mentioned have won
high honors at comparatively youth
full age. But. generally speaking. 1t
must be admitted that tennis is a game
for the veteran.
The history OF the game, both in
America and abroad, is pregnant with
instances which have proved most con-
clusively that when development is
worked out along intelligent lines and
under the influence of conducive en-
vironment whatever the tennis player
loses in speed and stamina, to and in
many instances beyond the forty mile
stone. Is moro than compensated for in
tactics and skill OF yearly increasing
efficiency.
There is little doubt that William A.
Larned could have won his eighth
born January l. 1s7D had his 1911
form been unaffected by anything save
age deterioration. But though he was
a marvel in every way, it is more than
likely that his case may be duplicated
by either Williams or Mclaughlin, as
both Of these stars take exceptional
care of themselves and should play
top-notch tennis into their early forties.
Certainly the man of forty, or very
close to it, is not the man to select as
player on an international team.
Particularly is this true when the man
IN question has been out of the game
for any considerable length of time 1t
is remarkable. however, how many men
possibilities by the come back" route.
As recently as last season there was
back" and even Malcolm D. Whitman.
champion in 1893. 1899 and 1900. who
has been out Of competition for many
years. was talked Of in the same con-
nection. Yet it is pretty safe wager
that no man who has been retired from
competition for more than couple of
years will ever be selected to represent
his country in an international match.
Veteran Players in England.
English players average considera bly,
older than those from this country
Even yet we hear talk every now
and then of H. L. Doherty coming
back" and aiding his country in Davis
cup contests: but nothing ever comes
Of It, Little Do retired in 1906, and
any real intention he ever had of re.
turning to active competition probably
was nipped in the bud in the winter Of
1909, when Fred Alexander met hin
on the Riviera and blew him off the
court, as our Australasian friends
would put it. Doherty was born in Oc.
tober. 1876. and is. therefore. nearly
thirty eight years old.
Two other giants of decade ago also
were talked Of in 1914 as possible In
ternationalists on behalf of the British
Isles. They were S. H. Smith and Frank
1iaI, ni,4
and 1906, and serious contenders for the
singles title for many years. Smith i:
the older of the two, he having beer
born in 1872. while Riseley is five years
younger, the year of his birth beins
1877. 1t was said of Smith that the
have been his had he been favored witt
a dry and hard court on any of the
many occasions when he neared OF
reached the challenge round. He ha:
the best record of any man who ha:
taken part in the Davis cup matches
for while H. L. Doherty never lost {
match, Smith won twelve sets out o.
the thirteen played. Riseley was vol
leyer par excellence. and it was his vol
leying, combined with Smiths driving
that won for the pair the English dou
bles title twice. even against thu
mighty Dohertys
H. Roper Barrett, A. w. Gore and NJ
]. C. Ritchie are three other English
veterans who have, until last year
when younger blood was sought, beer
regarded as International possibilitie:
and Barrett was actually pressed int
service as a doubles player in the 1871
Davis cup matches played by the Brit
ish Isles against France. Barrett now
is forty-two, and he played at Long
wood in 1900 in the first Davis cup con
test; Gore is forty-six, and Ritchit
forty-four.
While, therefore. golf, cricket. base
ball, and many other lines of sporting
endeavor are frequently stirred by thu
brilliant performances of some youth
full phenom, it seldom happens in ten
nisdom The young men in tennis who
have won honors upon the court are ir
nearly every instance veterans from
the standpoint of experience.
Williams Got an Early Start.
Take the case of Dick Williams. the
present champion of the United States
From the time he was old enough tc
swing a racket he was placed under
the tutelage of the best professional Is