New-York tribune., 1921-01-03
Every Performer of Note
on Courts Conquered
by Tilden and Johnston
By Fred Hawthorne

When William T. Tilden I'd, of Phila-
delphia, defeated Gerald L. Patterson,
Of Australasia, and William NJ. John
ston, of California, conquered Norman
Everard Brookes, Of Victoria, in the
last Of the 1920 Davis Cup matches at
Auckland, New Zealand, on Saturday,
it not only marked the end of the most
brilliant season Of lawn tennis in the
history of the great game, but it like
wise placed America as the champion
tennis playing nation of the world.
Between them Johnston and Tilden
have conquered the tennis world Every
player Of note on the courts has had
his chance against these two young
down before the concentrated speed
and the amazing skill of our two
tennis "aces."
An Amazing Showing
The clean sweep made by the United
States team, five matches in row,
rivals the best efforts of the British
Isles and Australasia in previous years
and that it was all accomplished by
two players makes it all the more
satisfactory.
Every doubt as to the strength of
Tilden and Johnston as a doubles pair
has been swept away by their great
victory over Brookes and Patterson in
the doubles last Friday. 1t is difficult
to prophecy to what heights the
worlds singles champion and the ma
tional doubles title holder might rise
as team were they to play through
season of tournament tennis to-
gether.
The fact that Tilden lives on the
Atlantic seaboard and Johnston on the
Pacific Coast is most unfortunate from
tennis point of view, for it means
that this width Of a continent must
ever prove barrier to their teaming
season after season, except for few
weeks each summer, when Johnston
comes East for his annual play in the
big tournaments
Even so the triumph of these two
men must come as a great encourage
ment TO the doubles game in this coun-
ttrry' winch has been sadly neglected in
the last decade. The success of john
ston and Tilden proves what can be
done If the right spirit and an adc-
quatc amount of determination enter
into the combination formed bv two
players.
Worlds Two Greatest Individually
On the surface "Big" and Little"
Bill should have made a practically
unbeatable team for were they not
the two greatest players in the world :?
Assurcdly, but that was no guarantee
that as pair they would retain their
efficiency as individual players.
In doubles there must always hc a
certain restraint, masking. of the
individuality that distinguishes the
play in the singles game. Both men
must be willing to sink their own per-
sonallty, to Il reasonable extent, in the
interest Of team play, and to study the
style and court tactics of their part
ncr.
I am speaking now of two players
who are of approximately equal skill
and playing strength. 1t frequently
happens, of course, that one player is
iar superior to his partner, and then
IT is wisdom for him to take leading
part IN the play, doing major share
or the work, with his partner to back
h'm up IN certain positions on the
court and in certain situations.
That Tildcn and Johnston were able
To conquer Brookes and Patterson last
week can only mean that thew aban-
doncd all thoughts of individual play
and blended their court talents in sucI
q manner as to make the most effective
attacking and defensive combination
possible That they impressed the
Australian critics most favorablv ia
evident from the cablcd reports that
have reached this country.
Johnston ~ His Best
1t would he interesting ut this time
10 see Tilden and Johnston meet on