The New York herald., 1922-09-25
Heads Group Present to Boost
Met. Associations Public
Courts Plans.
WINNER OVER RICHARDS
Washburn, Davis and Misses
Bayard, Bancroft, Ballin,
Wagner All Play.

The Metropolitan Lawn Tennis AS
sociatiop's plans to interest the sport
public in lawn tennis were realized
beyond fondest hopes yesterday when
a crowd Of about 10000 people re-
sponded 10 the invitation TO see some
of the games greatest exponents In
action on the North Meadow courts
at Central Park. The matches were
the first of series of exhibitions
carded.
William T. Tllden, I'd. national sin
gles champion. and his partner in win
ming the national doubles champion
ship. Vincent Richards; Watson M.
Washburn. member of the 1921 Davis
cup team: Willis Davis. Pacific Coast
star: Miss Leslie Bancroft, Longwood
Cricket Club of Boston: Miss Florence
Balm. Pennsylvania chamoion Miss
Marie Wagner, former Metropolitan
title holder, and Miss Martha Bayard of
Short Hills, n. j., delighted the gallery
with program which called for exhi-
bitions In mems singles and doutles
and wornen's singles and mixed doubles.
The gallery would have done credit
to the national championships or the
Davis cup matches. both in size and
appreciation OF the fine points Of the
game. The enthusiasts stood FIVE and
six deep around space In which were
situated six courts. while the slopes
rising from two sides of the courts were
solid masses of humanity. Though many
did not know the names of all of the
strokes exhibited. they could appreciate
a point well made. and their applause
throughout hours Of play was generous.
Tennis Body Picks Committee.
The Metropolitan Association had
been working on the plan for these ex-
1libitions some time. Atsthe annual con-
vention of the body last year a COM
nlittee was appointed to stimulate gem
eral interest in the sport and to interest
city officials in 1t as a game for the
youngsters.
That there were more than 5000 ap-
plications for courts and only twenty
nine public courts in Manhattan was
one item that the tennis organization
wished to have corrected. With this
point in mind the committee, composed
OF &. S. Landers, president of the M. l.
II. A.: Jones W. Mersereau. secretary /;
Louis b. Daley. AL j. Ostendorf Ed
ward G. Conlia, Winfield S. Rice and
Franklin p. Adams co-operated with j.
v. Mulholland. supervisor OF recreation
In the Borough Of Manhattan, and
Emanuel Swartz, assistant supervisor in
charge Of tennis. in securing the promise
OF the stars to play in yesterdays ex-
hibitions.
The dramatic touch which would have
been present in tournament with a
title at stake was missing, perhaps but
the tennis displayed could hardly have
been improved upon much. And the
players enjoyed the occasion as hugely
as did the spectators. Between singles,
doubles, and mixed doubles matches
Tilden presented to all of the winners
OF the public courts tournament recently
completed on the same courts the med
ais awarded by the Bureau of Recrea-
tion.
One lad. T. B. Cohen, student OF the
High School of Commerce, who won
the junior division OF the tournament
Is now the proud possessor of one OF
Tilden's racquets
Richards Forces Tilden.
Two singles matches of one set each
we're played, Tilden defeating Richards
md Miss Bayard leading Miss Bancroft.
Miss Bayard won at 6-3. but Tilden
was unable to defeat Richards until he
had been fought to standstill for six
teen games and II had been agreed that
the seventeenth would decide the match.
In the doubles Richards and-Tilden
triumphed over Washburn and Davis.
6-2, while in the mixed doubles Miss
Wagner and Washburn beat Miss Balm
and Tilden by the same score.
Richards scored a greater number OF
poinfA than Tilden In the singles con-
test, 5l-4s. For the first six ganes, they
alterrated on service. then Tilden broke
through to lead at 5-3. Richards re
taliated by scoring a break In the mex
game and bringing the score to all
They alternated cross-servlce and ther
service until all, when with both play
ing In their best form the finish was
nowhere In sight.
It was agreed that the seventeenth
game, Richards serving, would decide
Three outs by Richards, caused by fore
ing shots and placement, gave Tilder
the match
The women's singles gave the gal
iery several more chances to cheer
Both made remarkable recoveries o
seemingly impossible chances Too FIRE
duent netting of the ball at decisive
points by the Boston sportswoman gav'
Miss Bayard the victory. as Miss Ban
croft equaled her in placements and