Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-01-02
TENNIS

III CoiSlutilhS lIlC HTOSpCCtS loI an
exceptionally active year in tennis
during 1922 Julian S. Myrick, presi-
dent of the United States Lawn Ten
mis- Associa ton. states:
Il attribute the unprecedented pop
ularty of tennis and sport in general
during 1921 to the increasing realiza-
ton by the pubic that physical eXer-
else means improved health, more
pleasure in living and a chance to live
longer. From every source where
statistics are available it is being
pointed out that during the last dec
AIDE the average span of life has con-
stantly heightened. Another under
lying reason may be that it was a
shock to the nation during the war
to find many young men disqualified
for military service because of poor
physical condition. The natural re-
action has been to seek to remedy
this weakness and participation in
sports helps to accomplish that re-
suit.
80 far as tennis is concerned the
widespread interest in the game is
demonstrated by the fact that during
1921 the junior champion was Vim
cent Richards of New York; Julius
Sagalowsky. the boys champion. who
is n lad under II years, comes from
Indianapolis; the intercollegiate
champion, Philip Neer lives in Port
land, Ore, and the semi -finalists in
the intercollegiate tournament came
from Boston, Dallas, Indianapolis and
San. Francisco.
with the increased interest in ten
mis- being shown in cities. schools and
colleges. it is only a question of time
when the calibre of play and conSe-
qucntly the resultant popularity of
the sport, will increase proportion
ately throughout the land. Youywill
then see on country wide basis the
interest and skill in tennis which for
years have been localized mainly in
the East and on the Pacific coast.
81 also attribute large part of this
growth to the increased publicity Civ
on to amateur sport, thus helping to
persuade the public to take more ex-
crcise and become interested in some
sport.
1T is my opinion that this popu-
larity of tennis will continue to in
crease not only during 1922 but for
many years to come. Interest in
sport. including tennis, has advanced
beyond being q fad and it will con-
tinuc to grow as part of the pro-
grcss OF our great country.
The international competitions of
tennis next year should he among the
best which have ever been held. We
are informed that Australia expects
to send on a great team; South Afri-
ca has a team of young men who
have been. improving decidedly since
1919 and they expect to be among the
challengers this year; the japanese
are also strengthening their team, to
say nothing of the European teams,
so it looks as though the Davis Cup
will again have a great year and at
tract tremendous interest which will
react for the good of the game not
only nationally but internationally.
Our own championships should be up
TO the high standard which they have
always maintained. Altogether the
year 1922 looks now as being one of
the best years that tennis in this
country will ever have enjoyed"
Mr.. Myrich also expressed the
opinion that an increased attention
given to amateur sport in the form of
constructive articles 'as applied to the
physical health of the individual, and
articles dealing with the technical
side of the various games, how to i'm
prove ones game, etc. would be de-
cided step in the right direction Also.
if municipalities would put in more
public Fairgrounds, tennis courts.
golf courses. etc. the sa-ing in health
would come back to such a commun-
ity many fold.