New-York tribune., 1921-11-03

I do not remember an occasion when
there has been such an almost unani-
nous oplnlcn among critics and ether
close followers of the game in the as
signing Of the first three places. I
nave yet to discuss the matter with
any one qualified TO Judge who did
rot agree with the above ranking.
Actually, it does not seem as though
even the ranking committee OF the
United States Lawn Tennis Associa-
ton, which has been addicted to queer
rankings IN the last few years. will be
able to place the first three men anv
differently.
Tilden, Of course, by virtue of his
world conquests at St Cloud, at VIM
biedon, at Christchurch and at Ger
mantown, where he met and defeated
every great player in the world. has
so clearly established himself as the
iirst player in the universe that we
may pass swiftly on 20 the next man,
Johnston.
Places Johnston Second
The little Californian, although SUI
ferlng defeat three times during the
season, once at the hands of Watson
NJ ashburn, in the invitation tourney
at Newport, once by Roland Roberts at.
Newport, and again at Germantown.
when he went down before the unbeat-
able playing of Tilden in the national
championship event, is safely placed
Just below the champion himself.
FOR two sets and half, in the
struggle with Tilden, Johnston battIed
On even terms with the Philadelphian.
Whlie ms strength and speed stood bv
him the little man from the Coast vas
1uliY Iliden's equal. His own terrific
and perfectly played forehand drives
and his Hawiess volleying and position
play We're an Offset for his opnoner5,s
greater versatility, and had the forre1.
utle holder been able TO keep goinp at
1uA speed through five sets no man
can say who would have been the ulti-
mate victor
But Johnston, who was not at the
top OF his. physical form when he
started against Tilden, weakened per-
ceptlniy IN the latter half OF the third
set, and from that point on. Big
blll' q" victory was fairly certain.
Among those who yielded co Johns
ION during the season we're Richards.
VINO was defeated easily at Seabrirht'
ana Dy hair IN the national: VIII
!lams, who was beaten twice. and
humagae, at Palm Beach; Shirnidzu.
Davis, Mathey md Roberts.
Richards was easily the sensation of
the year, and had it not Deen ror an
unfortunate lapse between the Rhode
Island State championship in July. and
the national tourney at Germantown.
would have been entitled to second
place.
In naming Richards for the third
position among Americas greatest
players. am reminded of remark
made at Seabright by man who has
held the national title moro times than
any other player in the history OF the
game
This former champion sat beside the
court at Seabright last August when
J Johnston was defeating Richards By a
decisive margin. Richards was in the
middle OF the slump that followed his
defeat Of Tilden at Agawam, two or
three weeks before. He did not look
anything like a champion on that oc-
caslon. AS the match ended this for
mer king OF the courts turned 10 the
man sitting beside him and remarked:
He's a newspaper championl"
[ wonder what this former title
holder will think when he sees young
Richards up among the first FIVE Of
the country. / wonder what he would
have thought had he seen Richards,
rs l did, in his brilliant defeat OF
riiden at Agawam, and in his terrific
ive-set battle against Johnston in the
national championship at German
own. Truly, cannot help but feel a
bit OF elation when I think that the
'rewspapers" have done 80 much for
this youth, who is not yet nineteen
years OF age.
Among Richards's Victims
Here are some OF the men whoul
Richards numbers among his victims
this season: Tilden. Williams. Ku-
nagae. Davis, Bob Kinsey and Frank
T. Anderson. When he was defeated by
Willis Davis in the final round Of the
southampton tourney Richards WAS
from q badly ulcerated tooth