The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-07-23
TALKING
IT Over
BY JOE WILLIAMS

NEW YORK, July 81 think it
~ is Just fine that the great Bill
Tilden finally has decided to play
on the American tennis team
against France this week and now
that he is in the lineup I'd Ike to
see him put on a swell show. ].
wouldn't have been like Bill TO re-
main retired in keeping with his
earlier threats, nor would 1t have
been like the officials of the United
States Lawn Tennis Association to
stand by their original team Iiomi-
nations.
You can lIWays depend on Bill 70 do
The theatrical thing. and the tennis offi-
eisIs 10 do the Hilarious thing. The stage
az the Roland Garros stadium Is perfect
y set for Bin md be can be counted
upon 70 express mself all over the
premises. First. tine victory at Wimble-
der put him very much back in the spot
LIGHT. II vas the old story Of a veteran
eampaiEner 1shtinE on youth and win
ming a ehamDionship at time when
few hEursd he bad chance.
Young Allison h1a beaten Cochet at
srs s.' This indicated fading French team
With Tiiden IN tho lineup America would
have more than a fighting chance % win
the Davis mug back from France. surely
Bill would -econsidei and come back g
the teaml Some ono even mentioned
patriotisul-Hoovcr-t Red. White and
Blus-don't forget the Mainland the
D. A. r.
DUT Tilden couldn't possibly play.
ID To begin with it would be I'M
fair to the four youngsters the ten
mis- officials had already named and
who were looking forward eagerly
to the great adventure. Further
more. he had signed contract with
a news syndicate to cover the
matches and this was contrary to
the amateur rules Of tennis.
II profoundly regret that these eircuDn-
stances make IL impossible for me to
serve on the team" said 1tlden; but 1
shall be only too happy TO contribute my
services TO the training and coaching OF
the squad"
OF eogrSe sysTg one 15S k ~ 1ei 9 s Ts5
an alluring temptation to express his
superb dramatic abilities on the court and
capitulated with a labored reluctance only
a few brief hours before the names OF the
American team we're TO be handed to the
captain Of the French team. Tn accept
ing against my wishes and better iudg-
ment." announced the long faced martyr
Of the courts.
A S if the situation we're not dra-
IA matte enough in its original
frame, what with the old timer
coming back to the racket wars for
another last stand in the interna-
tionaI pits, TIlden flops over and
sprains an ankle in a practice
match, and for the matter of half
a day two continents are. all Utter
will he play or won't he?
Ultimately IL Is decided Of course that
Bius ankle will be stout enough TO stand
the strain and he Is named to start along
with Lott in the singles and Van Ryu aud
Allison in the doubles. Thus DoeE. tho
coast southpaW. who was to have been the
fourth member Of the American team, is
forced 10 the sidelines.
10 would be worth 2 Zip across the
ocean TO be in the ctadium Friday when
Bill limpS stidiv out on the center court
With his arm fun Of tennis bats and his
face scanned vita a heavy and simulated
gravity. This IS a magnificent spot for
him ana only the old stage trouper who
has been called back to Broadway sue
cess after a lapse IN the provinces can an
nreciate the unutterable Joy IL brings to
the soul. That is Vhv say think It is
fine that he is back on the team and that
] hope he will put on a swell show.
q
INCIDENTALLY I'd like to know
i what is being done about those
three thousand smackers Tilden was
to have got for covering the matches
for the aforementioned news syndi-
cate. That's lot of money to ask
an amateur tennis player to pass
up. Even if they don't ask him
to pass it up. it's a lot of money.