Evening star., 1926-02-26

Fine tennis, conspicuous sports
rnanship and promise of future su-
premacy are recognized by Helen
Wills countrymen in their comments
on her defeat by the French champion.
Mile. Suzanne Lenglen. Special pride
is felt in the young contender's poise
and the good nature she maintained
under trying circumstances during
the contest.
I'VE wish that Miss Wills had taken
the championship this year says the
Madison Wisconsin State Journal,
"but 1t is question whether her
exhibition of sportsmanship and
character Is not more emphasized by
defeat than it would have been by
victory. Good winners are plentiful.
The Louisville Times pays this trtb-
ute: Good tennis is inspiring. Miss
Wills plays it Good craftsmanship Is
even more inspiring. Miss Wills has
it. She is a disting uished American
OF the future the Cleveland News
rule of try, try again, and the
admirable young sportswoman from
California Is the one who knows
it." while the Fort Wayne News
Sentinel holds that ''if she maintains
her present rate Of progress for an
other year or two, she doubtless Will
be as invincible as Suzanne has been
in the past"
Honor to both contestants Is &C
corded by the Duluth Herald. which
remarks that "the American girl show
ed skill and courage which suggest
that it will not be long before the
crown that Suzanne has worn for years
SO worthily will pass to her The
Lansing State Journal says that Mile.
Lenglen seems to be what is termed a
prodigy, in less formal language what
is known as a 'whtZ, and that
undoubtedly she IS rare combina-
ton of fast-seeing eye and perfectly
co-ordinating muscular agility.
Helen Wills gave beautiful battle, !"
continues the Portland Oregon
Journal, "and she smiled in defeat.
And she didn't lose her temper. And
all her conduct was that of a dead
game sport in the highest sense OF the
word. And in her smiles and In her
skill she was American through and
through. And she isn't through with
her wonderful opponent yet.
X n 4 +
THE loss Of the match is her gain.
observes the Sioux City Tribune; IT
leaves her with something for which
is likely to be colorlesS succession
of days and months. marked neither
by Joy nor by progress" The Martins
burg Evening Journal recognizes an
increased international respect 1or
Helen Wills ideal sportsmanshlp ana
for her ability to extend the Frencn
player who is accustomed to defeat
| her opponents easily"
Believing the defeat may be but a
% yYIf
| the Pasadena Star News says the
heart of California and Of America Is
with Miss Wills.
Miss Wills proved an admirable
loser" the San Antonio Express notes
with pride, and showed genuine
craftsmanship, a quality of which our
countrymen boast and like to see OILS,
played" and the Milwaukee journal
exclaims, "tictory If possible, but
slogan of every athletic CLUB ana
association in America
y x X X
The Sacramento Union also halls
the American player as one VINO
! ..nroved herself faithful to the hlsn,
est standards Of Sportsmanshlp anu
| who "stood forth as wholesome,
sterling young gentlewoman In SET
| ting marred by much Sord1d CONNER
cialism, jealousies and inf1rm Loyalty
i TO the game for the games sake" The
| Des Moines Tribune-News, CONSIDER
! ing the same factor, draws the conciu'
sion that development of sportsman
shin has a large part in shaping West
ern character and has a large part In
determining Western leadership and
control The similar comment of the
New York Times is that tennis is
| nothing z not a game for gentlemen
and gentlewonaen. and to degrade it
by outbursts Of rowdyism Is TO put at