Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-06

4AldG dlOIle WARRANTS giving MIN
the chance to make the team not
taking into account his many
years of experience both in this
country and in competition
abroad.
There is some question whether Hum
ter wants to play any more Davis Cup
tennis. Some people seem to think he
and Tilden are both through with the
expressed my belief in Tilden's readi-
ness to play, and I feel just as sure
Frank will answer the call if he is
chosen.
First, he hasn't made any public an
nouncement of retiring, and second
happen to know Frank has been put
ting in two or three days for some time
getting into the pink of physical con-
dit:on. What is he doing that for if
he doesn't hope for another crack at
the Davis Cup?
Tilden and Hunter have been such
etanch friends for years that if one re-
fuses to play the other might refuse
also. Il Is my belief, however, that
even If Tilden, did withdraw from the
international matches Frank would
stu be willing to play.
Hunter No Stripping.
But dropping this question, let us
consider Hunters prospects of making
the team. As have said. he is no
Spring chicken. He has been playing
ever since he left Cornell, before the
United States entered the war, It
wasn't until a few years ago that he
became an internationalist, however.
For years he struggled along without
getting anywhere in particular. To be
sure in 1923 he was ranked fifth in
1lHxk IL
ne dropped out of the first 10. It
looked as though he were through as a
headliner.
But in 1927 Frank toured Europe
with Ttlden, and that trip, during which
Hunter met the best players of Europe
and had the benefit of Tilden's con-
slant coaching, was his making. At 80,
Wnen most players have begun to slip,
FRANK had improved his game by at
least IS, and players who had beaten
him now found him an entirely differ
ent proposition. He jumped back into
the ranking in 1927, and up next TO
Tnoen at No. 2. He has been in that
position since, and is tough man for
any player to beat.
Hunter has commonly been regarded
as one stroke player. This is because
ana heaviest any player in the world
nlts, Is 50 much better than any other
shot ne has, His game is not nearly
so well-balanced as Tilden's or that of
some others, but Hunter has more than
a forehand drive. His back-hand, for
n1erly glaringly weak, has been bolster
ed remarkably through constant use.
A Mistake He Avoids.
Frank has not made the mistake of
taking everything on his forehand. He
llGHd tn hlYf hn laarV1al ~ i
although he still favors his forehand,
naturally, he seldom pulls himself far
out OF position to avoid taking a ball
on the left side. His backhand is not
a great one, but it is sound defensive
slice, and Hunter places t so well that
he makes an attacking shot of it.
Hunter also has a good service we'll
under control. He is a better YoIleyer
than before, though his backhand vol
ley could be better, and he has a thor
ough knowledge of strategy and the
ability to size up his opponents weak
nesses and hammer away at them.
His biggest asset is his fighting spirit
No player surpasses him in this. His
bulldog courage has pulled him out win
ner Of many match in which he had
appeared licked.
If Frank should be picked for one of
the singles assignments would not give
him any chance Of beating Cochet, nor
would give Tilden or any other anna
teur in the world, except Lacoste, a
chance against the ball boy of Lyons.
But Frank would have a chance
against Borotra. He beat the BASQUE
twice in 1923, and although Borotra
has since beaten him twice, once at
Wimbledon in match that was inter-
rupted on, the first day and again in our
national indoor championship I think
Hunter would be pretty nearly an even
bet against Borotra.
They razzed the Davis Cup committee
last year because it discarded Hunter
IN favor Of Lott for the challenge round,
after Hunter had won both his singles
against Germany. I don't agree that
the committee made a stupid mistake,
as some commended, for Lott is potenti-
ally one of the worlds best players
It may be that if Hunter had been
used he would have beaten Borotra, and
so have brought the cup back home. But
he might have lost, as did Lott. Per-
haps Frank will get his chance this
year.
Copyright 1890. by North American News
paper Alliance)