Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-23
BELIEVES KOzELUH
BEST PAID PLAYER
Big Bill, Though, Says Cochet
and LaCoSte Are Worlds
Leading RaCketerS.

~ I'VE, E164SCC, A16GCI1 SGs-41IC
M professional tennis cham
~ pionShip at Beaulieu gave
4 me opportunity to study
the class of tennis played by the
leading professionals of the world,
and compare it with that of the
best amateurs. Only Vincent
Richards, Howard KinSey and
Harvey SnodgraSS were missing,
and each Of these mems games I
know well.
Certain facts were definitely
borne in upon me. The first and
outstanding one is the difference
between the class Of tennis played
by the pros Of Europe and those
Of the United States. Only the
three men I mentioned above. OF
al the pros in the United States,
could stand for a minute against
the standard OF play shown at
Beaulieu.
TIE interesting angle to this Is that
Richards, Kinsey and Srodgrass at
taInsS their skill as amateurs, ana
turned professional only after their
ability was proved. Such men as
George Agutter Jimmy Burns, AEcNeal,
Eeston and Wood, excellent teachers
though they are, are not IN the same
class as players with the average pro-
9esstonal IN Europe.
believe the reason for this con6i-
ton is the professional tournaments. Of
which Europe boasts a number. Thus
there Is q chance fer competition for
these professionals which the United
states pros lack.
Then the European professional IS
FAR more scientific and experienced than
most Of our American pros. The ma
Jortty Of the European pros have grown
ur f. tennis as ball boys and assistant
instructors and finally have graduated
to professional teachers Only a few
such thoroughly experienced men exist
II the United States.
Ths outstanding examples are Agut"
ter, McNeal, Burns and Agutter'S
former assistant, Hestcn. One cannot
place such men as Richards, KinSey
EnodgraSs and Wesbrock in this class
because they bring to pro tennis an
even more valuable asset, the expert
ance gained in match play as amateurs.
The second thing which was brought
clearly to my observation Is the lack Of
variety in the professional style. AL
these men stand behind the beSeline
and swap long, clean, beautiful but
naonotorouSly mechanical drives IN un.
interesting rallies Of many shots each.
It always Is beautiful stroke technique
but there IS no thrill watching It. one
sees no flashes Of inspiration, no play
Of the Imagination such As makes the
game Of Cochet or Borotra 50 delightful
Il Is more Like watching Lacoste but
without LacoSte'S variety OF direction,
length and pace.
Do not misunderstood me. These
professionals are fine tennis players.
They are in the same class with the
leading amateurs, yet doubt u they
would often beat the best amateurs be-
cause Of this lack Of inspiration ana
Imagination.
TAREL KCzELUH Is the outstane-
N ing player. Kozeluh Is better than
he has ever shown In the United States.
Even so, he is not the best tennis
player In the world. It Is my opinion
that Lacoste and Cochet are better.
while Bofotra at his inspired best prob
ably would be 50.
It Is didacult to offer a sound rank
ans List for professionals, because you
have few direct comparisons In scores
and can use only your own Judgment
7 an Offering here q list based or my
own observation OF the play Of these
men:
1-Karel Kozeluh
Ramon NaJuch.
Vincent Richards.
4-Ranillon.
9-Albert Burke.
eHowerd Ktnsey.
Martin Plaa.
e-Harvey SnodgraSs.
81. Burke.
ia. Schmidt.
One cannot dispute kozefuh's claim
10 hrSt position.
The next three men might almost be
hracketed, but I consider Na1uch
Al1ghtly superior to either OF the others.
He has better ground strokes and his
direct victory over Richards when they
net Sc:re years ago r.ust also pc taken
tnto consideration. Between Richards
and Rsr.tllcr the records should give
Richards : slight superiority, but after
watching E2-atlloc's game would pick
hin to beat Richards IL q dve~Set
match
This boy Rarjllcn-he IS only about
32-hAs enc Of the most remarkable
games In the world. He has terrific
service, with Eat, clean, hard drives OF
both sides and he can vclley and smash
with remarkable brilli&ncy. He has far
more variety Of game than any profess
e!cnal ever have seer. His court COW
e-tng IS worthy Of ko2sluh. Only II
lis match temperament does he lack.
He IS apt TO blow up at the most ursx-
pectAd moments, as he did when lead
ing KozeIuh 80 ana deuce n the FIRST
set At Beaulteu. However, hamilton
has been playing TERMS only COM
rarattvely few years and his improve
nnSnt IS little short OF phenomenal.
There Is no way to justify my rank
ing list merely offer 1t as my opinion
and rot II any way TO be considered as
q. accurate Judgment .ct tbs ability OF
nV,iyy faiVStc " Sc
(Sepyrtght 1880, By North American News
nAper AusaEc&.)