Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-22
SAYS PRO TENNIS
IS HERE TO STAY
Jump in Public Popularity
Predicted if All Stars Are
Brought Together.
BY VINCENT RICHARDS,
Tennis Champion Of the We

EAoAeoSionhA Aennio NnaInplon % IHo WoIlu.
w YITH the playing of the pro-
VA fessional lawn tennis cham
NV pionShip next week at the
West Side Club. Forest Hills,
Long Island, the old argu-
ment reopens-when will open" tour
naments become a reality?
For two years there has been talk
Of an open event on the same lines
as the open golf championship, but no
definite plans have yet been made for
such tournament.
Those who know tennis intimately
are more than keen to see such stars
o. Anderson, Harvey Snodgrass, Walter
Westbrook, Charles Wood, the Bruke
brothers, Ramon Najuch and myself in
action against such world famous fg-
ures as Henri Cochet, Rene Lacoste,
William Tilden, Jean Borotra and
Landry. The demand today from ten
mis- galleries the world over is give
up the best" and the only way this
can be done is to have open tourna-
ments.
Fast for His Age.
Kozeluh, now in this country for the
professional championship, is one of
the greatest players in the game. He
is a very serious contender for the
title will defend next week. and he
would be a very serious contender in
an open championship.
He is 80, but the astounding way
in which he covers the court would
lead one to believe he was just starting
his tournament career.
In addition to Kozeluh, the entry
list for the pro championship will in
clude such court stars as Howard Kin
sey, Snodgrass, Westbrook, Paul Hes
ton. Jimmy Burns, James Reid. j. B.
MCGUIRE. Phil Bagby, William Ganley
and Matt Harris.
I really believe the standard of COM
petition next week will be just as high
as at any of the amateur events dur
ing the past Summer. Kozeluh and
Kinsey are playing tennis today that
would place them In the first three
Of the world were they amateurs. Kin
sey, former Davis cup star, is said to
have improved at least IS since he
turned professional.
But to get back to the open tourna-
ment. really believe professional ten
mis- has place. and that it is here
to stay. There never can be any ques-
ton OF 1t superseding the amateur
game for that is too firmly implanted
In public regard. But as an added
attraction along the same lines as the
open golf championship, there is a
The Professional Lawn Tennis AsSo-
ciaticn is nov functioning on a firm
foundation and fully aware of the flu
ture possibilities in the professional
ranks. 1t is work ng in perfect har-
mony with tiie amateur association,
and there seems little doubt open tour
naments will come before another year
passes.
Pros Make Sacrifice.
During the last two years profession
al tennis championships have taken
their logical place in the sports world.
Each country has held its champion
ship, and IN spite of the fact that in
most cases the pros have had 10 make
unusual sacrifices 70 play in these
events, they have done SO to further the
professional movement.
For instance, Kinsey. SnodgraSS and
Westbrook, who have entered the cham
pionship next week, present a typical
example of the sporting spirit among
the Woodworking pros of the game.
These players give up at least three
weeks of teaching. q heavy loss, and in
addition pay their own expenses East to
play.
1t is true they are playing for cash
consideration, but 1t IS also true every
one cannot be winner. What a vast
difference there is in the amateur game.
Here the players are put up at the best
hotels, their railroad fare is paid AMI at
the end of the tournament the amateur
, is not a cent out of pocket.
Probably with open tournaments the
situation will be changed for it is con-
ceivable the professional association will
then be able TO make financial provision
for its players.
When this country takes the step into
open tournaments, we will find all the
other lawn tennis playing nations fol-
lowing suit, England. France. Germany,
Czechoslovakia, Japan, China and the
Philippines are countries I have played
in as a professional. and each is tre-
mendously keen for open tournaments.
It is my opinion that with open events
tennis will take a tremendous Jump in
public popularity.
(Copyright, 1929 by North American News
paper Alliance