Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-25
R. N. WILLIAMS
PLACED AT TOP
FOR FIRST TIME.
National Champion Has
Been No. 2 on Ranking List
for Last Four Years
CAPTURED CROWN IN 1914
BY WILLIAM T. TILDEN, I'D

For four seasons In succession philadel-
phia has boasted Of the No. ranking ten
mis- player OF America In Richard Norris
Williams. I'd. This year we may feel proud
OF Ereeting him not as an understudy 10 a
greater star but as the greatest player in
America--the national champion and No.
in the United States.
What has williams done this season.
Was II his best year so far as tournament
play goes2 No. II Is, however, the fulfill
ment Of his ambition, In that he has grasped
the crown he set his heart on at the begin
ming OF the year and worked UP to. Will
liamS has worked all season for the national
championship. lie allowed his other tourna-
ments to play second fiddle TO his desire TO
win the big event. lie rested. worked and
played with this in view. and his foresight
and earnest effort were crowned with
success
Goes West for Rest
Dick Williams, following his graduation
from Harvard, instead OF plunging into
tennis, as was expected, dropped the game
and went West, only TO return last In time
to play at Longwood. He entered this
event with little or no practice, and was
defeated by Clarence J. Griffn In the Sec
ond round In straight sets, This meant
little. Shortly after came Seabrlght.
where he defended his title successfully
against George Church, defeating him in
Then came his memorable victory over
Johnston. then national champion, at New
York in the East vs. West match. Will
liams again fell victim TO Griffin at New
port after suffering n sprained ankle dur
ing his match with Roland Roberts the day
before This was an unfortunate defeat
but excusable.
Defaults to Washburn
At Southampton Williams played through
several rounds. only to default to WASH
burn, not wishing to risk injuring his ankle
again before the national.
Then came Willamss great effort In the
national. when he swept all before him and
snatohed victory out OF his opponents hand
in the finals, and by SO doing gained the
verdict of our greatest player In 1915. His
victories In the national were over Jerry
Weber. Robert lie Roy. Cedric Major, Will
liam j. Clothier, Douglass Waters, Clar-
ence Griffin, thus avenglng his former de-
feats, and In the finals Billy Johnston.
Williams also has defeated Roland Rob
erts. Walter Merrill Hall. Baggs and Doug
lass Walters "A second time. His only de-
record when one considers the big thing
back OF Williams's plan.
AZ we all know here In Philadelphia
Williams plays the most distinctive game
seen on tho courts OF America. He drives
Off the rising bounce instead of the fal
a peculiar style Of back-court game, just
inside the base line, from where he make;
the most marvellous shots to the side lines
Overhead Stroke Deadly
williams's voley game is accurate and
wonderful for its angles. while his over
head is deadly In its speed and placement
| He is severe of the ground both forehanC
and backhand, but prone TO erratlc streaks
His service is swift American twist whicl
scores many points for him.
There is no player In America who hai
a more perfectly balanced game, excep
possibly William NJ. Johnston. These tive
men are the best exponents of solid tennis
My next article will be on William NJ
| Johnston, 1915 national champion, our 1871,
No. . man.