New-York tribune., 1919-12-08
Mile. Lenglen
To Visit u. S.
In Title Quest
French Girl, Worlds Cham
pion, to Oppose Greatest
American Tennis Players
By Fred Hawthorne

Even though American lawn tennis
Will be without motivating influence
OF competition in Davis Cup matches
next year, the game will not suffer
through any lack of interest or activ
lty. In fact, all indications point to
an even greater year of competitive play
Vnan was the case last season, when it
seemed that the high mark had been
reached.
One of the contributing causes to
this promising state of affairs viii be
the visit to these shores of Mile. Su
zanne Lenglen, the wonderful little
French girl, who at present holds the
more or less illusory title of worlds
champion, won on the courts of VIM
bledon last June through her defeat
OF Mrs. Lambert Chambers, the British
champion, in the final round.
Mile. Lenglen is expected to arrive
IN this country next May, perhaps
earlier, which will give her plenty Of
time to get into condition for our own
women's national championship.
I have never seen this remarkable
young player in action. and hence l
have no way of arriving at even fair
appraisal of her real worth, except
through those who have seen her play;
and, as I have said before in this col
umn, there seems considerable differ
ence of opinion as to the French girls
ability.
Opinions Are Conflicting
Tho mere fact that Mile. Lenglen de-
feated Mrs. Chambers, however, would
appear sufficient recommendation as to
her capabilities. "Peck" Griffin. Of
California, insists she is the most re-
seen, while Richard Norris Williams
I'd cannot bring himself to believe that
she will stand against our leading play
crs, such as Miss Mary Browne, Mrs.
George w. Wightman, Mrs. Thomas C.
Bundy or Mrs: Franklin l. Mallory.
One thing is certain, Mile Lenglen
will encounter the stiffest resistance
on our courts that she has ever faced,
and if she can work her way through
the great field that will gather on the
next June it will be like gliding the
lily Of France to praise her play.
In connection with the French girls
contemplated visit to the United
States, I was talking with Harry Nc
Neal, the English professional, at the
Heights Casino in Brooklyn, last
week. McNeal has not seen Mile
Lenglen play in several years, but he
places high opinion on her game as
it was then.
For the last three or four weeks
McNeal has been having daily practice
matches with Mrs. Mallory and Miss
Eleanor Goss on the Casino courts.
Both the former Miss Molla Bjurstedt
and Miss Goss are starting a vigorous
campaign in preparation for the out
door season of 1920 and also for the
national indoor championship at the
7th Regiment Armory this winter.
Will Attempt Comeback"
In the case of Mrs. Mallory, it will
be really an attempt to regain the
premier position on American courts
that she held so completely through
four long years of strenuous competi-
ton. Last year Ill health interfered
seriously with the former Miss
her national indoor and turf court
titles to Mrs. Wightman.
Her illness appears to have been
only of temporary character, as she
showed toward the tail end of the out
door season by her defeats of Miss
Marion Zinderstein and Mrs. Wightman
in regular tournaments. Herself once
moro, Mrs. Mallory is certain to hold
her own in almost any company
Miss Goss is priming herself for her
greatest season on the courts, and
Shoulu she pay more serious AtVentlon
to singles competition and participate
more generally in tournament play
than has heretofore been the case
there is no telling to what heights she
may rise. Exceptionally gifted physi-
cally, the New York girl has an assort-
mcnt of splendid shots that should
carry her far, even against such great
players as will oppose her next season.
I have mentioned Mrs. Mallory and
Miss Goss particularly because they are
of New York City, and hence closer TO
us than the other great women stars Of
the game. But Miss Browne and Mrs.
Bundy, undoubtedly two Of the great
est female players the game has ever