The New York herald., 1921-01-04
JOHNSTON'S TENNIS
STILL AT ITS PEAK
Californian Shows, Despite Loss
of National Title, He Has
Not Gone Back.
by SAMUEL J. BRooKsrAS.

In the dispatches that came from Ans
tralasia last week particular emphasis
was placed on the fact that of the four
men who participated in the Davis Cup
challenge round William NJ Johnston
was the most impressive. William T.
Iilden "a appears to have been given
an due credit by the Australian critics
lot MS bri.liance, wonderful versatility
ana dazzling speed, yet for some reason
or other the opinion seems to have been
general that the tennis of the Californian
was the sounder, the more effective. the
more convincing.
australasia had heard a good deal of
johnston torehand drive. but what Aus
u .ralasia saw surpassed its expecta tions
Iennls officials there who have followed
the game for years and who have seen.
the worlds best in action on the turf
courts OF the antipodes marvelled at the
pace ana sung of the drive that shot off
johnston $ racquet, at the splendid CON
lroi ne showed in employing the stroke
ana the skilful way in which he drove it
tnrough Tor earned points. Judging the
Instance and angles to a nlcety. The
Austraiaslans We're struck, too. by the
crispness OF Johnston's volleying. by his
ness.
The flattering comment IN no wo,
surprises Americans who followad Tobn,
stoh .sn efforts through the season of
ISzO. His tennis, barring one or two
matches always has been of cham
plonShlp quality, his foreaand alwa ~
mas impressed as one of the finest
strokes or It's kind in the game, and
we nave not forgotten that n wear 400
the Californian generally was reco~-
niZed as the worlds leading PLAYER
Johnston had to yield his national title
TO William T. Tilden last summer on
a day when the latter was in the most
brilliant form of his career. but even
then Jehnston nearly fought Tilden 10
a a, slanasuli after one Of the greatest
i've set matches in tennis history
There is no questioning Tilden's right
to De rated as the leading tennis player
in the world. He has proved II in no
uncertain fashion. but Johnston has
not gone back. On the contrary, his
tennis is at its peak and so long as it
remains at It's present efficiency, Til
den, great a player as he IS. and bright
as are his prospects for further develop
nent, must ever look to his laurels.
The tennis world, internationally speai,4
ing. appears to be pretty well con
yinced by this time that in Tilden and
Johnston fhe United States at this time
has an unbeatable pair
So far as Australasia IL concerned
the loss OF the International tennis cup
means that in all probability some OF
the younger tennis set of the Antipodes
viii be given chance next season to
accomplish what Brookos and Patter-
son failed to do Brookes again may
lead the team that viii come TO this
country FOR preliminary or challenge
round matches next summer, and may
play in doubles. but the chances favor
the selection Of Jack Hawkes. as one
CT the singles players for Australia and
possibly J. o. Anderson as the other.
Hawkes.. particularly. IS rated very
high in Australia as a result OF two
victories he scored over Brookes IN
tournaments during October and No
vember