The New York herald., 1922-07-21
American Tennis Champion Indignant Over Story
Alleging She Belittled Mile Lenglens Victory
Ridculously Msquoted'
BY SAMUEL J. BRooKMAN.

authorized a statement that was going
there for the third time to try to win
that title. Upon arriving In England,
when asked regarding my plans. l made
exactly the same sort Of statement and
whenever / was asked to comment on
tennis affairs after that tried to make
clear that I was In England simply to
play tennis and not to talk.
No Criticism to Make.
Nevertheless the newspapers abroad
repeatedly asked for opinions regarding
tennis affairs that are no concern of
mine. have had no desire or intention
to regulate the management of iourna-
ments or to comment upon opponents
whose ability / respect and with whom
should like to be ON good terms. Spe-
cifcally. that applies to Mile. Lenglen.
as IL does to the others whom II was my
pleasure to meet in the English tourna-
ments. The officials of the British AS
sociation and the players were most
courteous and cordial to the American
players. Everything possible was done
to make our stay enjoyable and / can
offer only the most sincere praise for
everything Of that sort that expert
enced while abroad.
1T happens that Mile. Lenglen and l
had met In two tournaments and that
each had won before the last match at
Wimbledon. We played that and she
won. She won fairly and decisively and
have played enough tennis to be will
ing to let the scores speak for them
selves. have no use for alibis and
offer none. We had - quarrel before.
during or after tho Itch. I know
nothing about her f--Lre plans or
whether we may meet again. She Is a
wonderful player and / would consider
IL privilege to play against her. Any
one likes to meet skillful opponent.
What makes me angry Is the effort
to make this out to be "grudge" match
with a lot of personal animosity In II.
! That sort Of thing Is unpleasant for us
and think 1t is unfair. 1t seems as
though the papers abroad have sought
to pick UP any chance remark or per-
hsps remarks that were never made. and
thus work UP the great "Lenglen-Mallory
Feud' or 'The Second Battle OF the
Century" and all the other ridiculous
things they have called 1t.
Doesn't Care for Interviews.
''The whole thing would be so absurd
that 1t would be beneath notice were II
not for the fact that II Is so unwar-
ranted. start to get mad about II and
then think, oh, what's the use?' and
try to grin and forget IL. I should think
I had been playing tennis long enough
In this country for the public to know
pretty well whether ! am In the habit
of making excuses for defeats or saying
discourteous and unsportsmanlilke things
about opponents.
II play tennis because like II and
have no fondness for being interviewed
/ prefer just TO play the game and let II
go at that. I hope you will be SO kind
as to tell my whole story. for this is al
have to say and stand by every WORD
| of IT,"
Mrs. Mallory will resume her tennis
campaign In the tournament at Sea
bright which opens on July 81. Accom-
panying the American champion on heI
return from England were Miss Edith
Sigourney and Miss Eleanora Sears OF
Boston, besides Dean Mathey. All Of
them played in the British champion.
/ shir-