New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1927-05-28
TILDEN Wanted TO
APPEAR IN FRANCE
Tennis Ace Prepared Harder
Than Ever for Tennis Campaign

Philadelphia, May rs R-There
isn't 30 much news" in tho fact
that big Bilr' Tilden's home town
expects him to complete a spectacu-
lar comeback this year but 1t is Of
interest to discover some Of the mo-
tives back of his international cam
paign this year.
'Tilden," say those who profess
to be on the inside" OF the situa-
ton. Concentrated with sharper
zeal and purpose on his prepara-
tons for this years campaign than
he ever did in the six years he held
the national titlA 1t was his own
idea to make an elaborate trip
abroad. to play the part Of tennis
strate to the French that he wasn't
shy Of meeting them in their own
backyards.
You may recall that when Tilden
was defeated by the French on
American courts last season, his
swan song was heard here and
abroad. This was enough to spur
him on. alone. but 1t also appealed
to his sense Of the dramatic to make
one last. big rally, just as Ty Cobb
has set out to do in baseball. Both
sre the same type. high-strung and
brilliant. They heed the big incen-
tive and Tilden has IT.
"Tilden feels that THE rather dis
Appointing tour abroad last year by
Vincent Richards and Howard Kim
hey. now professionals. damaged
American tennis standards abroad.
Consequently he and his partner,
Frank Hunter. always popular in the
bther side. set out with the definite
purpose of sowing seeds Of good will
as well as turning in their share Of
triumphs. So far they seem to have
succeeded.
Philadelphia also is the home Of
"Dick" Williams. captain Of the
American Davis cup team for the
past few years, 50 that it is appro-
pirate to note the opinion Of at least
one OF the games guiding minds that
Williams probably is the outstand-
Ing doubles player Of the world to-
day."
This same authority who Yields
vital voice in affairs of the United
States Lawn Tennis association, con-
siders 1t certain that the American
doubles team for the Davis cup de-
tense will be built around Williams.
with Tilden and Little Bilr' John
bon, OF course. bearing the singles
burden.
civilians and Tilden would be our
Ideal combination. If Tilden can be
convinced he is just rs good or bet
ter on the right-hand side Of the
court as Dick. The trouble is Til
den may stick to his previous idea
that he should hold down the left
side. II so we may be obliged to
shift some other partner for Dick,
possibly Watson Washburn."
1t may be recalled that Tilden's
view on this issue. expressed to the
Associated Press before he sailed
abroad. was that he and Johnston
should team up in the doubles.
1t develops now that Ed Chandler.
llIcICOltCS N--dlllpiolI Aol SiC Pool
two years, and one OF the players
named for the Davis cup squad. will
not be able to participate in the trials
for the international team. His law
studies will keep him on the coast.
OF the other younger players
picked to engage in the trials chiefly
for the experience 1t may give them,
high hopes are held out for the
futures of Cranston Holman of Stan
ford, George Lott Of Chicago and
Johnny Doeg. the IS year old son
of Florence Sutton Doeg, herself a
noted player years ago.
ut is such youngsters as these"
an official points out, upon whom
the United States must depend for
Its future international competition.
But while We are doing our best to
encourage them, they are handicap
ped by the very fact that such men
as Tflden and Johnston dominate the
field. With aces like the two Bills at
the top, the development OF the
youngsters is slow. whereas France
with nothing to lose and everything
to gain. has turned out an astonish-
ingly strong group of players"