New Britain herald., 1928-09-08
DAVIS CUP GONE
FOR five YEARS

Iuh IVL ILhhu
William N. Johnston Gives
Views on lelllS vuuo0k
Philadelphia. Sept. 5 R;-Wiliam
NJ. Johnston. the immortal Little
Bill" OF tennis. who is here for the
iranCo-American team matches,
thinks it may be five or six years
before the United States wins back
the Davis cup.
The former mighty atom" of the
courts, now tired San Francisco
stock and bond salesman on Va
cation, saw little ground for OPP
timism in the opening of the two
day series yesterday when the
French won three OF the four played.
After watch ng Henri Cochet de-
feat George Lott, b-1, 6-3: Jean
Borotra down John Hennessy. 6-3.
SO, 81; and Christian Boussus and
Pierre Landry trim John Doeg and
Junior Coen in doubles, 90, is
while Johnny Van Ryn won the
only American victory by scores of
6-3, CO over Jacques Brugnon. Lit
tie Bill was more inclinded to talk
OF Cochet's play than OF winning
back the cup. What impressed him
most of all, he said. was the great
ly improved playing of Cochtt'
There was no one on the courts,
French or American, who could
come up to the standard OF Cochet
Lacoste," Little Bill went on and
until America develops some one
who can beat them, the Davis cup
will stay in France.
These young French players are
all right" said Bill, but they are
not in the class with those two.
They're no better than our young
Sters. Great stars like Cochet and
Lacoste come only once in a tennis
generation. It's all Just a regular
cycle. We had our day and were on
top for seven years. Now the
French are up there. How long
they will stay depends on Lacoste
and Cochet.
"Lacoste's game Is SO perfect that
it requires constant practice to keep
it up to pitch. But he's like was,
he has other interests than tennis.
understand that now instead of
making this trip with the French
team he is devoting his time to bust
ness.
Lscoste probably has reached his
peak, but he and Cochet should hold
on for five or six years more, if they
keep at it.
'Cochet in beating Lott so readily
struck me as Il Very much improved
player had not seen him in action
since l played against him in the
Davis cup matches here a year ago.
Cochet used to be somewhat err
ratio but now l am considerably i'm
pressed by the all-around soundness
OF his game. You saw what he did
TO Lott and Lott is considered one
of our best players.
Il don't believe Lott and Hen
messy will be able to topple the
French. Well have to wait for
such chaps as Van Kyn and Coen.
l think Coen is probably the best
prospect we have.
'Docg, think. has gone Just
about as far as he will go. He
really reached his peak three years
ago"
NO, there's no one else in sight
out on the coast, yet some one may
bob up almost any time. lit doesn't
take long"
But great as he considers Cochet
and Lacoste. Johnston believes his
famous running mate. Big Bill Til
den. in his prime could have beaten
either one the best day they ever
played.
Little Bill thinks Big Bill was the
greatest ever.
The bad boy" of American ten
mis-. barred from amateur play on
account of his writings. is not in
this series, however, and the Ameri-
can team, playing without him on
the Germantown Cricket club courts
where he learned the game. today
faced the task of winning four out
OF five matches or losing the series
to the French.
The schedule for today:
II a. m.-Rene De Buzelet vs.
Francis T. Hunter. Landry VS.. Docg.
D. m-Boussus vs.. Coen.
Borotra and Brugnon VS.. Lott and
Hennessy.
Coche: and De Buzejct vs. Wilmer
Allison and Van Ryn
Allison yesterday overwhelmed
Miss Helen Wills. 81. 81. in an ex-
fibition which showed her no match
for one Of the countrys top rank
ing men players. Allison is No. II.