The New York herald., 1921-12-03
TENNIS IN GARDEN
NOW A POSSIBILITY
Tex Rickard Admits Promoters
Are Considering Pro-
Tournament.
AMATEUR STARS SOUGHT
Top NOtchers Must Be Induced
to Join to Insure
Success.
AMATEUR STARS SOUGHT
BY SAMUEL j. BRooKMAN.


II plans now being seriously consid-
cred materialize tennis. for the first
time In the history of the sport In this
country. may take a plunge into profes-
sionalism before the winter is over
Wealthy promoters. whose identity are
not revealed. are said to be ready to
back the enterprise OF staging profess
sonal matches, of Turing amateur stars
Of national and international promin-
ence into the project, and of holding the
initial events right here in Madison
Square Garden. They have approached
Tex Rickard on the subject and the
Garden promoter is in a receptive mood
In fact, Rickard admitted yesterday
the possibility of a professional tennis
championship being staged in the Gar
den some time in January or February.
lie hasn't committed himself, but he is
ready to take hand in the project, ii
enough stars of top rank can be attracted
by the lure of financial gain. He feels
that the success OF such an event de-
pends entirely on the personnel OF the
players that can be interested. If
foreign tennis star or two can be brought
over to join the list of contestants that
would help considerably, he thought.
mont in tennis have been bruited about
evsry since national championships and
Davis Cup international tournaments
began to attract unprecedented galleries.
Not so long ago game for the socially
elect, tennis has made such rapid strides
in popularity that some of the biggest
tournaments have filled stands of Is, 900
capacity. Naturally promoters have
viewed this growth of popular interest
Tat
professional possibilities.
A Doubtful Point.
Whether many or any of the country's
leading tennis amateurs can be won over
to the side Of the promoters is an ex-
ceedingly doubtful point, however. While
many OF the top notchers are far from
being in the wealthy class, the majority'
of them are more or less comfortable
financially and scarcely would be at
tracted by the money lure. Then the
glory attached to international Davis
Cup competition and to national anna
teur championships is something the
tennis star holds dear. He has been
brought up in a purely amateur atmo-
sphere and he has never dreamed of
professional tennis. He Is not ready
for It.
The subject happened to come up in
a tennis talk among prominent players
not so long ago. and the majority OF
those present thought the idea was ri
diculous. You couldn't get a real star
TO forsake amateurism. He'd feel like
man who has deserted his best
friends" Which may Or may not be
true. The chances just now appear to
be decidedly against the probability OF
top notchers turning professionals. but
you never can tell
OF course, the attitude of the United
States Lawn Tennis Association in the
matter is more or less passive. If some
of the stars are willing to forsake anna
teurism, the association is not going to.
nor can it, put anything in their way.
II Is pretty certain, however, that the
tennis officials will make the amateur
rule more stringent than ever and will
enforce It strictly.
U. 8. L. T.. A. Warning.
A circular letter recently mailed out
to registered players in the national as
ISOLATION, warning them against un-
sanctioned exhibition transforming trips.
Is regarded in some circles as proof
that the officials are i'll at ease over
the threat of professionalism. The let
ter, however merely calls attention to n
rule that has existed for some time. 1t
follows:
When the illness Of Mile. Lenglen
prevented her from carrying out the
schedule OF exhibition matches that had
been arranged for the benefit Of the
American Committee for Devastated
France the association approved a SINH
lar schedule that had been proposed by
William T. Tilden I'd. Mr.. Tilden and
other prominent players generously vol
unteered to participate in such exhibition
matches, from which the committee re-
allied more than enough money TO
cover the expenditures it had made on
the Lenglen trip. The association, OF
course. received no part Of this money
nor did the players.
II am bringing this to your attention
for two reasons: The first Is to make
clear that this action by the association
did not necessarily establish any prece-
dent that will lead it to approve future
exhibition matches where admission is
charged. The second is because there
is a tendency. possibly growing. to or
ganize such matches for various pur-
poses. Transforming trips involve so
many features that are bad for amateur
sport that the association has already
taken a position regarding them.
Section of the amateur rule pro-
vides that player shall cease to be an
amateur by playing in a team or ex-
hibition match where gate receipts are
charged, unless permission to hold such
match shall have been previously OBJ
tsined from the executive committee or
from the sectional delegate at the sec
ton In which the match Is to be played.
Please bear this In mind when you
are asked TO compete in exhibition
matches. and make certain that the
event has been properly authorized
Your cooperation will be appreciated"