Evening star., 1926-09-07

o
This thought brings a poignant
pang of regret to thousands of tennis
followers. But, at the same time.
those who know the circumstances
leading to her unexpected decision
cannot but feel glad for her sake that
the opportunity has come her way to
put to some good use her outstanding
talent That Mary X. actually needs
the income which she will earn under
her new contract with c. G. Pyle call
ing for matches with Suzanne Len
glen is quite evident from the fact
that she has been working at much
less lucrative laborS for some time
past.
Picture a certain young woman
talking earnestly with impressive
business men, endeavoring to con-
vince them of the advantages of
signing on the dotted line"-Or
Imagine her dashing to the city be-
tween matches in some important
tournament to fulfill an engagement
with other businesslike individuals
and YOU have a full portrait of the
little WeSterner holding down" her
lob as insurance agent in order that
she might make ENDS meet" and still
take an active part IN the game she
loves.
Small wonder Mr.. Pyle's tempting
offer found her in a receptive frame
Of mind.
Rut let us not make the mistake.
while rejoicing for Mary in her good
fortune. Of allowing ourselves to be
persuaded that because some of our
favorites have turned professional the
amateur standing of American tennis
%ntr 4NI 1Nv 90
commercialism" as Suzanne Lenglen
has branded the French variety of
amateur tennis.
In France, one may pay 5000 to see
a match. but in America, no such ri
dicuIous prices ever have been asked
or are ever likely to be, by the
American Lawn Tennis Association,
which handles all of our big events
and makes just enough each season
10 defray the actual expenses Incl
dent to running off the various
Journeys. Three dollars is the maxi
mum price for seat at the national
title events. Whatever European
tennis may be. the game in America
is promoted for the love of the sport
itself. and. if anything. those at the
head Of the executive organization
sacrifice both time and money. rather
than reap gain from their activities.
So far as our players making a
handsome living at the nets is con-
cerned, it would seem to many that
II this were the case, the Mary K.
Brownies would not be tempted to
leave sure thing" for a promised
gold mine, which at best must be a
gamble and may turn out TO be
gold brick.
It would seem. also. that if William
r. Tilden, Cd. had found tennis ade-
ouate as means of support. he
would not have jeopardized his ca
reer TO the serious extent which he
did last Winter by working weary
hours behind the footlights.
Individual players in the first
ranks may accept their expenses to
certain club events in the country
or they may Motive do not pretend
TO know the inside" of that much
debated question-but American lawn
tennis. as a sport, has an amateur
standing distinctly above that Of most
sports and is not STEPPED in hypo-
critical commercialism as the French
ace pictures the pastime to be in her
country No body of promoters are
lowering in the background Of our
tennis world. gathering In the shek-
kels from enormous gate receipts in
any Of our championship events.
either State. sectional or national.
That much is certain.