New-York tribune., 1918-07-25
May Conduct
Net Event on
Handicap Basis
By Fred Hawthorne

The report, having its origin, ap-
parentiy, in the West, that the national
singles lawn tennis tournament that
Side Tennis Club at Forest Hills, Long
Island, on August 20, will be conducted
on handicap basis, is so astounding
that it seems unbelievable.
1t does not seem possible that the
farseeirg and competent officials of the
United States National Lawn Tennis
Association could sponsor such meas
ure, and we, for one, shall refuse to be-
lieve it until the report is confirmed
from an authoritative source. Outside
of the fact that tournament under
such conditions could not possibly be
regarded as national championship,
and the bylaws and constitution of the
association make no provision for any
such legislation, the undoubted failure
of the recent Metropolitan handicap
tournament, held on the West Side
courts this spring, should be warning
attempt placing the national tourney on
a similar basis.
The handicap affair at the West Side
club dragged along for weeks, with
practically no interest being shown,
either on the part of tie players or the
hapless spectators. The case of Fred
erick B. Alexander, the famous inter-
nationalist, is glaring instance of the
utter futility of such affairs so far as
important tournaments are concerned.
Alexander, one of the most noted play
ers who ever trod court, was handi
capped at so, and after playing for
almost two hours in one match against
a man who was ranked, we believe, not
higher than Glass 8, defaulted when
still in the lead. He had experienced
all he desired of handicap tennis.
Who would care to see a player like
Robert Lindley Murray, of California,
or William T. Tilden, jr, of Philadel-
pha, for example, defeated in the ma
tional by some man in the "last ten" of
the ranking list? Let the rising gen.
Grafton of junior players, bows like
Frank T. Anderson, Fred C. Anderson,
Vincent Richards, Cecil Donaldson and
the host of others who are rapidly
forging their way to the heights, gain
the top rung of the ladder by their own
unaided skill. If they do not achieve
the goal this year or next they will in
the more distant future, but no one of
these splendid young sportsmen. we
believe, would place any value on a
title won via the handicap route.
A national handicap championship i?
Perish the thought!
The three-day annual invitation
tournament on the turf courts of the
Field Club, Of Greenwich, Conn, start
ing tomorrow afternoon at o'clock
and finishing up on Sunday, probably
will see the most noted entry from
among the men and women players now
in this country that has gathered at
any tourney this season, and not likely
to be excelled before the national
event, provided that fixture is held on
the old basis.
Robert Lindley Murray, of Cali
fornia, who won the national patriotic
tournament last season; William r
Tilden, jr., national clay court cham
pion; Ichya Kumagae, of Japan; Ma
thaniel w. Niles, of Boston, and Beals
c. Wright, veteran internationalst.
Names to conjure with! In addition to
these knights of the court, Miss Molla
Bjurstedt, national woman title holder,
will head a list of feminine stars, and
the entire proceeds are to go to the
War Camp Activities Fund, than which
there is no worthier cause at this time.