New-York tribune., 1920-01-23
Johnston Sure
OF a Position
On Cup Team,
u. S. Tennis Champion
the Most Reliable Player
This Country Can Boast
BY Fred Hawthorne

months, to consider the makeup of the
international lawn tennis team that
the United States will enter in the
Davis Cup matches Of 1920. and condi-
tons as they are now, with relation to
our eligible players themselves, may
undergo marked changes in the mean
time. It might be interesting, how
ever, to indulge lin some speculation
as to the names of those who will ap-
pear on the team roster.
William NJ. Johnson, of California,
the man who holds the national sim
giles title at present, and without b
doubt the most reliable player day in
and day out, from years end to years
end, that this country can produce,
seems as certain Of a place on the
come tax will be collected; that prohi-
bition has laid it's soothing hand upon
US.
Victory Over Australians
Gerald L. Patterson and Norman
Brookes are the greatest players in Aus
tralia to- day johnson has defeated them
both. although the first named forced
our champion to five thrilling sets be-
strengthen his game appreciably by the
time the next international matches are
played He is player who has yet to
reach his greatest form on the courts.
One of Johnston's most valuable as
sets to our challenging team will be
his rare fighting spirit. l cannot bring
to mind any player in this country
who so personites that splendid quail
lty as the little son of California He
fairly bristles combat when he goes
out on the court and he concentrates 3
tremendously upon the work in hand.
An opponent rarely gets a chance to
ston, for it is the champions habit to
get his man back on his heels"-and
keep him there. Witness his match
against William Tilden I'd in the
final round of the championship at For
est Hills last September
Had Tilden ever been able to get
working at full speed in that stirring
meeting with all his wonderful shots
and dazzling change of pace, he might,
conceivably, have downed the Califor--
man. AS 1t was, he just bordered on his
, best several times in the. three sets,
but Johnston's fierce aggressiveness al
ways kept him on the defensive.
AS to the chances of Tilden himself
being named for the international
team there is some question for doubt
and | say this with full appreciation of
the Philadelphian's extraordinary bril-
liant game and his great record OF
achievement during the last two sea-
sons.
In spite of the fact that the runner
up for the national title in 1918 and
1919 set up record Of tournament
winning in those years that has not
often been equaled in this country,
there is this about Tilden, that some
times, when you are expecting the best
from him, he fails to come through in
the most disconcerting manner.
He completely smothered Richard
Norris Williams I'd in the all-comers'
singles at Forest Hills, playing a game
that was absolutely uncanny in the ex-
ecution of dazzling shots, in the mas
terly change of pace and in the amaz-
ing speed of attack Tilden looked
practically invincible that day, vet a
few afternoons later, against Johnston.
ne seemed to lack initiative and conf
dence, and his strokes did not have the
stlng nor his hand the control that
had sent Williams down
believe that the .Philadelphian is
gradually overcoming this tendency and
that with each succeeding year he will
become q more >relable player AS it
IS, he must rank as one of the great
court men of the world to-day. Ger
talnly when himself Tildcn is worthv
of meeting the greatest of PLAYERS.
should be surprised and disappointed
were ne not member of the 1920
Davis Cup team.
Williams a Factor
Williams, in my opinion, cannot be
!e1C out OF the reckoning in the select
ing Of any international team. With
Norman Brookes have always believed
that the. former national champion is
as good as any player living" It is
q disastrous season last year, and that
MS work in the Davis Cup matches Of
1914 was not up to the standard, but
this can be overlooked. l think.
Williams had an "ofF" week in 1914,
and last year he was plainly suffering
from the effect Of his war experiences
Strokes as delicately attuned as his
are Tar more liable to be thrown out of
gear temporarily than are those of a
man like Johnston The Bostonian
should come back with everything he
had IN 1916 next season. and that means
almost limitless possibilities
AS for the fourth member of the
team, there will be many men to pick
from. Clarence ]. Griffin. Johnston's
old partner in the holding of the ma
tlonal doubles championship, may show
his best game again this year. and
that would mean the United States
would be reasonably safe in intrustinr
the doubles event to the Californians
Charles S. Garland, Wallace +. John
son and possibly Vincent Richards. if
the latter finds" himself and goes.
along to his logical development. nav
nnd a place on the team. AS mat
Ter OF tact, 1llden and Johnston NAV
develop into our greatest doubles nay s
No less an authority than BroolIes
greatest of all doubles PLAYERS has
expressed the belief that, with practicc
together. these two would make 10
best pair in America. WIG
Pittman and Cumm;ros