Evening star., 1923-06-03

that Johnston found II difficult to ac-
custom himself TO the different play
ing conditions, the change of food
and the low-bounding foreign ball
| What bothered him more than any
thing else seemed to be the shut-in
Keeling that many players have ex-
perienced at the famous Wimbledon
center court
Around this one court $4,000 peo-
pie are packed SO closely that nearly
every year some of them faint The
air is close and still, as the covered
stands shut off any possible breeze
there is a mental strain that comes
from the proximity of the breathless
spectators who are so near that one
can hear their low spoken comments.
McLoughlin said in 1913 that never
had he played under such nerve-rack-
ing conditions as he found there. The
new Wimbledon court is more spa
cious than the old one and the archi-
tects have provided special ventila
tion. SO that this disadvantage will
no longer hamper foreign players
But the differences in climate, food
and balls are still factors TO be
reckoned with.
Johnston's forehand grip is no,
suited to low-bounding ball. His
best game is played on the hard as
phalt courts OF California, and It is
there that he has nearly always
beaten Tilden. It took him two or
three weeks to accustom himself 10
the low-bounding ball in New Zea-
land
1t seems to me that these physical
conditions are the only things thar
believe that, knowing just what
obstacles are to be overcome, he will
this year be successful. Johnston
in winning the French hard court
championships at-Saint Cloud had q
great opportunity TO accustom him
self to the foreign ball.
Americans May Play Finals.
AS I look over the probable list OF
his opponents, I cannot see how he
can possibly lose to any of them. pro
vided always, as I say, that he keeps
his morale. Parke. who defeated him
in 1920. has retired. Kingscote, who
played him a close five-set match in
the Davis Cup tie. has played little
since that time, and, in spite OF his
undoubted excellence, should not beat
the Johnston of today. OF the French
players, Colbert and Cochet are the
only ones likely to offer any serious
opposition. And Alfonso of Spain, who
might have extended him, is over
here. Johnston's only serious rival,
then. is Vincent Richards, and it
seems to me that with the record OF
these two players in America there is
hoped that they Will be drawn in Diff
ferent halves. so that the finals will
be between two Americans.
Richards grips, like those of TIL
den. are well suited to a low-boud-
ing ball and his poise and self-pos-
session under new conditions will
stand him in good stead. He is a
splendid match player. and will be
helped rather than hindered by the
intense excitement that always pre-
walls at center court matches. Rich
ards has been very much written
about in the English papers for years
and will undoubtedly draw a large
crowd. He is playing in splendid
form this year and his condition is
excellent.
1t is unfortunate for him that the
first year he has been able to play
abroad finds Johnston there, too, for
he would otherwise have a very fair
chance of winning, as he usually beats
Hunter on grass. We all remember
how nearly he defeated Johnston in
the championships in 1921, when the
Californian was not well. IT, as
say, conditions should again prove
too much for Johnston, then Richards
will have an excellent chance of win
ming. In any event, / believe that
the last world championship will go
to an American.
Copyright, 1921