Evening star., 1924-12-07

'SAlill'l b' SUI lla'uiANtu Stl III tNtAtNr SSi
tain national traits that impose con-
servative policy. But the absence
OF any English player OF world rank
from the first 10 players for the last
two years is not creditable develop
ment, in his opinion, for a country
which invented tennis.
Richards in Second Place.
Here is the list of the first 10 as Sc
lected by Mr.. Myers and published in
the London Daily Telegraph:
I. William Il. TiIden, I'll, United
States.
=. Vincent richards, United States.
g. }. o. Anderson, Australia.
4. William VI. Johnston, United
States.
>. Rene LacOSte, France.
q. Jean Borotra. France.
.. Howard kinsey, United states.
\ q. l.. Patterson, Australia.
-. II. COchct, France.
10. VI. AIGnSo. Spain.
About Tilden'S supreme position
there can ben possible doubt" says
Myers in his review in the Telegraph.
THE holder of the American cham
pionship for the last five years has
not been defeated in any really rep
reseutative singles match over that
period For the past two years he
has beaten Johnston in the final of
tue american tndHlIlpnSDlp "lJnOul
the loss Of 4 set. He stands today
in class by himself Younger men,
like Vincent Richards. may appear
to press closely on his heels: he is
their master at the moment which
threatens serious danger. l rate Til
den today III almost 10 better than
he was in 1920. when he first tri-
umphed at Wimbledon. He has inn
proved and intensified his game III
= nm. eFr 4illl n
deep driving strokes, which have now
IN almost superlative speed and ac-
cUracy. If variety is the mother
of enjoyment as DisraeIi once de-
"lared. Tildeu must get more hap
piness out Of his matches than any
other living player And, indeed, he
pursues the game today with as much
lest as ever.
Vincent Richards is given second
place after some hesitation. He did
nothing conspicuous at Wimbledon
except win the doubles with Frank
Hunter. after being perilously near
losing them; but he won the Olympic
tournament in Paris. and on his re-
turn to America not only defeated
Johnston but took Tilden into a
strenuous fivc-set championship
match. His victory over Johnston
in the East vs. West match. which
followed the turmoil Of the champion
Ship-WdS not perhaps a conclusive
sign of his present superiority, for
Johnston had obviously let down. =.
Richards VoHcying Praised.
still, young Richards gained his
place in the Davis Cup singles as
result of it, while there could be no
question about the merit of his re-
sistance to TiIden, even if he might
not obtain such fiattering figures at
ThpiT TB Richards
born a tennis player; as mere strip
ling at YonkerS he set the district
by the ears; and at / ) he had won the
doubles champ ionship of his country.
But it was not until the latter half Of
1924 that he really became great
singles player-that he entered the
world class
LAS a volleyer he was wefl-nigh
matchless, but his supporting ground
shots. If always well conceived strat-
egicaIly. had not the speed to defy
an attack founded on more aggressive
drives. But in Paris, almost for the
first time Winnie found a measured,
Iast, reliable forehand drive and he
has kept and developed il ever since.
His service and volleying- remains as
valuable as ever. he is now armed
at all points. Yet, though his record
must place him next to Tilden this
YEAR, l would not yet support his
claims against either Anderson or
IS Johnston at their best. l think the
fiat speed of the first and the topped
speed and volleying of the second
would still threaten and might over
Whelm his defenses
y. o. Anderson has not left his
native shores this year. Strictly
speaking, he ought not to be in this
years first ten But he won the
Australian championship early in the
h sSs..- -.r,l,x
held out by his victory over Johnston
in New York - months ago, probably
will be fulfilled
These players. at the time of
writing, may be regarded as the Big
Four. Only just behind them and
soon, in my opinion, to reach their
emineHce, is Rene Lacoste. 1t is true
Borotra beat him, after five sets, both
at Wimbledon and in the French
championship, but none who watched
the relative performances of these
Two young Frenchmen in America
can doubt which is the stronger
player or destined to leave a deeper
mark on the game. Borotra's volley
ing at Wimbledon was cyclonic and
triumphant, but he was lucky not to
meet either of the driving SeXperts
civilians and Alonso) who might
have penetrated his net attack.
.'Bacoste routed at Boston the
player who defeated Borotra in three
sets. The we'll balanced equipment,
tactical skill and moral reserves, OF
I.acoste left a much deeper impress
sion in America than the acrobatic
volleying, unsustaned by sound
ground work, of his compatriot.
Lacoste is not a specialist; he is an
alI-court player, .who is improving
with every match. Even at the age
of 10 it is not difficult to see that
he is going to be the greatest player
France has produced.
Borotra Is Placed sixth.
Much as / admire Borotra's pluck
and pliancy as a Volleyer, | am reluc-
tant TO put him at sixth place; nut
the traditions of Wimbledon are It'll
insistent One must recognize his
great coup in England.
Howard Kinsey, with his brother,
is the present doubles champion of
America He has made consistent
progress in singles this year-regis-
tered by his success at Seabright,
where he beat Johnston in the finaL
and by his capture of a set from TIL
den at Forest Hills. This Californian
is fervid student of the game. and
has defensive qualities second to
none.
Patterson was a comparative fall
ure in America this year. He threw
away his chance against Richards in
the Davis Ncup challenges round with
both hands, and he could make no
impression at all on Johnston, Thden
asd Bacoste,- On the ether hand. he