Evening star., 1926-12-27

w YITH the National Tennis
n ratings Of 1925, so Tar as
NA our fair racketers are con-
cerned, bearing an unex-
pected aspect because OF
the absence of Helen Wills name from
the top of the list and the vacancy In
the place that should have held Mary
K Brownies cognomen, net enthusi-
asts are looking forward to the lSzI
season with much speculation as 10
who will top the list and how many
Of the present amateur stars will re-
main In the ranks to be rated.
VIII Helen Wills regain her throne?
That is the question uppermost in
the minds Of followers of the sport
Undoubtedly, the youthful Californian
lost ground as a result of returning TO
the courts too soon after her operation
last Summer. But whether the set
back to her game will be OF perma-
nent duration can only be determined
as her progress in Spring events Is
followed. 1t is more than probable
that Helen merely overestimated her
strength and with the long rest from
competitive play that she has enjoyed
during the past six months, she may
come back even stronger than before
her exit from the field Of action in
France.
Miss Wills probably will find her
stiffest opposition to national laurels
in Elizabeth Ryan, who already has
twice downed Little Poker Face"
Molla Mallory, the intrepid. veteran
who came back last Fall to score over
Miss Ryan for the national title after
a three-year absence from the head Of
the list, will also be a formidable OPP
ponent, although many critics believe
that her return to first place was in
the nature Of a final gesture. No
feminine player ever has matched her
record OF eight years as national
champion, with a spectacular come
back for the eighth season after a
three-year slump which indicated that
apparently her star had set.
The question of the ranking stars
succumbing to the persuasions Of the
evangelistic c. c. Pyle, who is bent
upon saving amateurs from them
selves by turning them into honest
professionals, is another which pre-
sents food for thought. So far. no
feminine players have been added to
his original pair, the inimitable
Suzanne Lenglen and Mary K.
Browne. But this is no assurance
that others will not follow in their
steps before another season rolls
around. Rumors have suggested sew.
eral prominent names as possible addi
| tions to the professional list, among
| them Elizabeth Ryan and Molla Nal
lory herself It would not seem amiss
| for Mrs. Mallory to accept an attrac
tive offer should It come her way, fol
she undoubtedly has scaled the
heights in the amateur world and the
down grade is never as pleasant as
the upward climb.
| Whatever may be the outcome OF
the national events in 1927, fans are
assured of an interesting season, with
many probable exchanges of position
We venture to prophesy a comeback
on the part Of Helen Wills.
This is not a dissertation strictl,
upon women in sport, but one tha,
may chance to interest them, especial
ly those who have the responsibility
of shaping the ideas and principles O
sport groups in schools, colleges OF
clubs.
Coach Denny Gildea Of the Everett
High School, in Boston, received
most generous Christmas gift from
the Field Corporation of the higl
school, not as a bonus for the winninl
foot ball teams he had turned out, but
to use the principals own words, "a
an expression OF the appreciation O
his work during the past Fall. Fa
more than the fine work Of the team
we value the square sportsmanshi
and moral training inculcated by him
1t is a fine thing TO win games. 1t i