Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-17
Suzanne Lenglen's Decision
To Turn Professional AmaZes

Americas sport Notwithstanding
most of the newspaper.reading pub
lic-was amazed at the decision OF
Suzanne Lenglen to commercialize
her fame on the tennis court and now
awaits with interest the first profes
sional venture of the French star
There is speculation about the posi-
bilities of professional tennis, many
regrets over the loss Of the spectacu
lar Suzanne's amateur status and
feeling on the part of some observers
that it is only fair that the pre-
eminently skillful amateur should
turn her great asset into money.
1T is absurd" in the opinion of
the Binghamton Press. for q. tennis
star to go unpaid, as Lenglen has had
to do, while other people rake in the
shekels which the public contributes
to see her work. The game would
be better for it If the leading players
followed the French girls example
and left the rulers OF amateur tennis
to sit and twiddle their thumbs while
the crowds went over to watch the
professionals"
THE tennis world will look to the
plans Of the great French player"
suggests the Oakland Tribune, Ito
test whether or not tennis can be
established as a. professional sport.
If any one could do so. it would be
this same SuZa nne, with all her &C
complishments, temperament and pub
licity: and vet the tennis fans have
doubts. The amateur game to many
will remain the only one worth while. "
The New York Herald Tribune Is con.
WINGED that "Lenglen's hopes of Gre
ating a profession overnight seem
quite too sanguine. Her prospect at
G0rat In a on mo nj a..
taire."
What we think about such a de
sertion of the amateur ranks" says
the st. Louis Post-Dispatch. we re-
fuse to say until Suzanne actually
serves the first ball in her first pro-
fessional match; the worlds first
woman tennis PLAYER has way OF
changing her mind. In the mea n.
time" announces the Post Dispatch
we should like to whisper to Suzanne
that 1t Is not true that American
streets are paved with gold. and that
nuggets of brilliant yellow hang from
American trees"
The Knoxville Sentinel defends Miss
Lenglens course with the statement
that now, at the height Of her fame
when her name will bring thOusa nds
to see her play. no matter where she
goes she is offered a chance TO make
her fortune through the thing that
she does best in all the world-play
tennis. Can she be blamed for taking
advantage Of such an opportunity
asks the Sentinel. To the Lynchburs
News 1t seems that Suzanne simply
has been more frank than some other
amateurs. The Providence Bulletin
xurHt ell ant oil
French girl a pioneer In new and
undeveloped field OF professional sport
or merely a paid entertainer on tour
| whose appearance will have no effect
| at all on the future Of American ten
mis-? Let time and public taste an
swer the question, for prophecy avail
eth nothing
1T is quite within her rights.
states the Indiana polls Star Of her
decision to become a professional, but
that paper IL convinced that never
theless, the sports world generally
will regret a decision which will place
the champion on a lower level"
The Milwaukee journal suggests
that she has long been at least a
semi.professional, judged By Ameri
can standards" for the French rules
ALLOW almost anything" and "Su
! zanne. it has often been reported. is
not unfamiliar with the role of ten
mis- teacher"
The public will he interested In
her" predicts the Waterloo Tribune
mot alone heca use she is the best
woman tennis player In the world
| hut because Suzanne is tempera
| mental: because she bowls. pra noes
around. gets headaches quarrels with
heraslf, with this ball. with the