The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-09-02
By WILLIAM II. TILDEN I'd,
Worlds Tennis Champion.

The stage is set. The curtain rises
to-day on the lawn tennis team cham
pionship OF the world. when William
NJ. Johnston C'Little Bil') takes the
court against Ichiya Kumagae OF
Japan in the first match of the chal-
lenge round for the Davis cup at West
Side Club. Forest Hills.
The participation of Japan adds a
new note Of Oriental flavor to the
great sporting event. Japan is a coun-
try of great progress, of marvellous in
itiative ability and of keen sagacity.
Nowhere is this more clearly shown
than in the rapid rise Of it's tennis
stars. KEmagae and Shimidzu. These
men are students of the game they are
always trying to improve.
Pitted against these fine sportsmen of
the Far East are Bill Johnston and my
self. Many loyal supporters of America
regard our victory as certain. Would
that l could agree with their glowing
optimism. / believe America will win.
but ! regard II as one of the closest
matches ever staged in the challenge
round. ] saw the Japanese stars in
practice yesterday at Forest Hills. l
have never seen Kumagae in finer form.
His terrific drive was ripping through
the court with fine control He has re
covered from his recent indisposition
and is now playing with all his Gus
tomary keenness.
ShimidEu mt His Best.
Shmidzu is again the Shimidzu Of
Wimbledon. He told me he felt ne was
playing at the top of his game. He Is
o resourceful crafty. dangerous player
at all times.
analyze the situation from this point
OF view: Little Bill and | at our best
should defeat both Kumagae and
Shimidzu. II either OF US falters OF Is
slightly off his game he will meet de-
feat The Japanese are remarkable
getters and make few errors. Should
we fall in a slump of even a tenn
porary nature the victory may as well
rest with Japan.
The doubles team is not yet picked
but / look TO See Williams and WASH
burn play for America. Ii so, / believe
we will score a point there, as the Jap
anese combination is only a makeshift
team at best, while Williams and Wash
burn are tried and true warriors of
many a gruelling match.
/ do not look for one sided scores
Every match should prove close and
hotly contested. There is no question
but what the Japanese stars will fight
to a bitter finish.
No country can boast OF finer pa
triotism than Japan. Kumagac and
Shimidzu playing for their country viii
be far more dangerous than merely play
ing in tournaments. "Banzai Nippon"
may well be a victorious battle cry as
well as one of defiance. Nothing short Of
our best will defeat our friends the
enemy TODAY.
Courts I'm Fine shape.
The courts are in magnificent condi-
ton. The largest crowds in the his
tory of the game are expected The
players are on edge and in perfect con-
dition.
The stage is indeed set for the great
est battle of all tennis history. If when
thu smoke OF battle clears we find Japan
the victors 1t will be with sincere con
Eratulations and pleasure that we hand
over the Davis cup to such splendid
sportsmen. II we have won we know
that the congratulations we receive from
them are heartfelt and ungrudging.
Attention Ring UP the curtain
Copyright 1921. by Sol Metzger.)