New-York tribune., 1920-06-22
Criticism of
Yanks Denied
By Patterson
Australian Says He Cast No
Reflection on Sportsman
ship of American Players
By Fred Hawthorne


In view of the fact that Gerald Pat
terson, the Australian, will defend his
title as All-England champion on the
courts at Wimbledon Saturday, in the
challenge round Of the great tourney, a
letter recently received in this country
by Frederick B. Alexander, former in
ternationalst and national doubles
champion, from Patterson, will give an
interesting sidclight on several mat
ters
In the first place, this letter removes
any doubts that might have been en-
tertalncd in this country regarding
Patterson's thorough sportsmanshin
and. secondly. it indicates that the
young antipodean gent will be pre-
pared to give Tilden or Johnston,
should either player win the All
Corners, the greatest battle ever seen
on the courts IN the challenge round.
Some months after Patterson and
Norman Brookes left the United States
last tau, alter winning our national
doubles championship, reports reached
this country that Patterson, in an in
terview with "Austral," Che lawn tennis
critic Of 1.-The Sydney Referee" had
made remarks that reflected upon the
craftsmanship of American players and
public The All-Eng.and champion
gives us the true light on this misun-
derstanding Off any of us believed this
splendid young player could be guilty
of such actions), when he explains the
situation to Alexander, who has turned
the letter over to me.
Just How 1t HaDDened
"This morning l received copy of
an article of yours from friend of
mine in New York was surprised at
first, but after reading find you are
correct IN your data. 1t is true the
result of the Brookes-J ohnston match
was not cabled over here, and, what is
moro, it was very sparingly mentioned
in the Chicago papers. AS for my beat
ing Tlden, well, it appeared in The
Sydney Referee but it was not stated
by me or any one else, for that matter.
What happened is this:
"'Austral, the reporter, met me at
the boat In Sydney eager for news. |
was in rush. but in short interview
placed said en- passant, that Tilden
was perhaps the best all around player
in America, but that he was a bundle
of nerves against Johnston. AS for
Tilden knowing too much for me. it is
a matter Of opinion, and you'll see
next November who's right should
say Australs' criticism was made hur-
riedly carelessly, exactly.
"You didn't mention, Fred, anything
we said about the sporting behavior of
the crowds in New York, and how much
we appreciated everything that was
done for us. In closing, would say
that neither before nor since have
received a better reception than q
Forest Hills after Billy Johnston gor
his nose in front.
Eve are very keen to meet you
best in Melbourne next November"
High Type Of Sportsman
!, for one, never placed the slightes
reliance in the garblcd cable report:
that came from Australia last winter
regarding the alleged interview with
Patterson, and I took pains at the time
to give it rs my opinion that it wa!
utterly unlike the Australian to make
such remarks as had been credited tc
him
In referring to the visit Of our Davis
Cup team to Australia next November
Patterson apparently takes it fol
granted that our team is going to e
straight through to the challenge
round.
But what a rare struggle that viii
be, with Patterson, now said to bt
playing stronger than ever before, ou
for revenge upon Tilden or Johnston
who defeated his at Forest Hills last
SeDtember