Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-30
FAMOUS DRIVE
OF JAP TENNIS
STAR EXPOSED
Secret Of Kumagae's Cele-
brated "Hop" Ground
Stroke Made Known
LIKE MURRAY'S SCOOP
By WILLIAM T. TILDEN, I'd


No tennis player who has ever graced the
courts Of America has caused more discus
sion or awakened more widespread interest
than has Ichiya Kumagae, the wonderful
little Japanese racquet wielder. From the
time of Kumagae's first American appear
ance until he stepped off the famous Casino
court at Newport as the conqueror Of Will
liam NJ Johnston, then national champion
the question uppermost in the minds of ten
mis- followers of America was whether or
not Kumagae was serious contender for
the national title.
Did he have championship caiiber7 Would
he take the tennis title to Japan, as Molla
Bjurstedt had taken the women's crown TO
Norway?
1t was only looking over his record prior
to the national that we could find an answer
to these questions. Kumagae won three
tournaments-Central West, New York
State and Newport. He has defeated many
prominent players, among them being Grir-
fin 0hree times) Beekman, Cannon, Hoerr'
Whitney, ]. O'Neale, Prentice Larned' IL.
c. johnson. Waters. Niles and Johnston.
He has been defeated only five times-by
Murray twicel at Seabright, by sets to /,
and at the Crescent A. c. in straight sets
by washburn in his first tournament on
grass by Armstrong at Longwood and by
Church in straight sets in the national.
Jap Developing
Kumagae is now in state of develop
nent. He came TO America simply ITO see
how the game was played here" as he put
IT, He knew nothing of our style or at
tack had never tried to meet II or play IT,
When Kumagae came to America he was
purely a baselne player, never going to the
net. BY the end of the season Kumagae
hot a.
grass to reach the net, and Newport and
| Forest Hills found him making occasional
| net attacks. He still is, and always Will be,
owing TO his small stature baseline player
but another year will find him mixing a
| slight net game with his marvellous back
court game.
Much has been written about Kumagaes
| 'double curve" ground stroke. 1t is mainly
| exaggeration. His ground stroke Is really
| nothing more than greatly topped drive,
placed with singular accuracy. Because
| KumaRae is lefthanded the natural curve
| and twist to his shot is the exact opposite
| TO the curve and twist on the shot of the
average player and for this reason seems
| peculiar
Kumagae's drive is not unlike the scoop"
| I.indley Murray uses from his deep forehand
corner. Where Kumagae differs from all
| other great players is in the fact that he
| steps away from the ball instead OF into H.
| thus pulling the ball sharply when hitting
cross court or sllcing away from it for his
| line shots.
Uses Western Grip
His grip on the racquet, which Is on the
order OF the western type. only even more
eccentric allows a sharp wrist snap
| which gives great pace to the shot and i'm
| parts enormous "top-spin." Time and agair
Kumagae drove TO Church in the national
higher than the latters head and the top
spin held the ball in the court
His backhand has not the beautiful fui
swing OF his forehand but It Is accurat,
20 a point that Is almost uncanny II,
| almost ''pokes' his straight backhand shot
but has a wonderful pull" shot cross
| court.