Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-13
BY WILLIAM T. TILDEN, End.

their favor to defend successfully
I cannot see that they have bet
ter than an even chance in view
of the developments of the last
two months.
Up to comparatively few weeks aac
there was every indication that Rene
LacoSt~ the French champion, woulo
be In condition to play this year. IN
fortunately, he Is not so well as it was
believed and the last word is that he is
not expected to play any tennis during
This is a great loss to France and tc
the game IN general and his absence
Will be regretted by all tennis followers
but certainly it puts a new construction
on the outlook in the challenge round
Even without Lacoste, France with
Borotra, Cochet, Brugnon and Boussus
JOCKS strong enough to successfully de-
lend, but all is not serene even here.
Relations Are Strained.
There is a distinct possibility that
Cochet may not play much if any
tennis this year. There have been
rumors all Spring IN France about diff
9erences between Cochet and the French
Tennis Association.
I cannot say how much truth there
Is In these rumors. Some say that
Cochet resents his being bracketed In
the ranking with Lacoste in view OF
Lacoste having only played one event
last year and Cochet having starred all
season, Personally I put no stock in
this report.
Another story is that during his
japanese trip Cochet wrote certain
articles which did not please the pow
ers that be and that he was reprimand-
ed. He is also supposed to have aroused
the ire of the French press and certain
elements of the association In the mat
ter Of gate money during the trip.
do not know what is the truth but
this much I do know: Cochet did not
play singles on the Riviera and he
personally told me that he did not in
tend to play tennis this Spring and
might not play in the French cham
pionships or at Wimbledon.
There is no doubt about Cochet being
at loggerheads with tennis at the mo-
n1ent and what little tennis he played
on the Riviera showed clearly his game
was affected. Even Cochet cannot ex-
pect to play Davis Cup tennis at his
best If he gets no competition.
Borotra Is MaInstay.
Jean Borotra seems to be the main
stay of the French team this year. He
will be certain to rise to the occasion
WIFI his DeSI, DuJ Will tlLo USSI pC 6OON
enough? His defeat in four sets at the
hands of H. w. Austin of England
would indicate that he is not playing
TOO well.
Certainly neither Brugnon nor Bous-
Sus can be counted on as point winner
in the Davis Cup challenge round
Brugnon, except for his one fine set at
Mention, when he beat Rogers and Coen
and carried me five sets. has had a
most disastrous Riviera season.
Boussus' crushing defeat at the hands
of DR.. Prem of Germany in the Monte
Carlo tournament must place him out
of serious consideration.
It seems to me that the whole ques-
lion of defeat or victory rests on Cochet.
If he will get back in the game, play
through all the big events. he will be
france will successfully defend. If. on
the other hand. he decides to play only
In the Davis Cup tournament, 1t would
not surprise me to see him fail and
France 60 down to defeat.
Gillou Is Worried.
There is no question but what Pierre
Gillou, guiding genius Of the French
team is worried He admits that La
coste is out of the question and that
the Cochet problem IS serious. He Is
also quite at sea for a doubles team
Cochet and Borotra are not in the pic
ture this year Gillou has definitely
riyen up all idea of playing them To-
Sether. I believe he had about made
Ip MS mind to use Lacoste-Bo rotra
until Lacoste's continued illness forced
him to change his plans.
The natural selection seems 10 pc
Cochet- Brugnon, but tnelr oeLeaG 1,, Wy
Austin and Kingsley in the Butler ITO
phy at Monte Carlo coupled with Brug-
mons lack of ability to find his game
makes it appear that they VIII not 40.
During the Monte Carlo tournament
Brugnon and BouSSuS were trleo OUT;
but they were beaten in the first round
by Rodgers and Abe, thus giving Gillou
still more to think about.
It seems to me that the mosC Iog 1S.aa
team would be Borotra- Brugnon: Inls
cornbination will force Borotra to play
three full days, thing that neither
he nor Gillou wants. There is one
other combination that looks hKely'
Boussus and De BuZelet. However,
their defeat by Junior Coen ana my
self in the fifth set at Monte CARO-
in the Butler Trophy shook the con-
fidence of the French.
All In all the doubles are a pretty
problem and one not easy to solve.
Will Lose Supremacy.
The outstanding feature Of the
Riviera season and the early Spring
Is the DEFINITE signs Of the passing OF
the French supremacy. It may not
come this year or even next, but the
Handwriting is on the wall just as
clearly as it showed Ia the United
states for several years before we sue
cumbed to the French attack.
There is no question but what 1t Is
coming. The great team OF Lacoste,
Cochet, Borotra and Brugnon is break
ing up It no longer presents the I'M
broken front Of two years ago. Inc
Young French stars, good as they are,
are not developing as fast as expected.
Bo1Ssus and De Buzelet are not reaoy
to step in and fill the gaps that are
opening. .,.,o. =.
champion Is hard to say. Certainly
England. with Austin and Lee, Is max
ING great strides toward the top Japan
locks definitely to be on the upgrade;
her whole national style is improving
"a the play Of her youngsters. Italy
al tr1ily DANGEROUS. Australia is Inc
dark horse that may burst out q WIN
,fHer. Her young team Is as yet un-
Known, but there Is no doubt about ner
potential strength.
limited States Has Good Material.
The United States has worlds Of ma
Serial to draw from ana should regain
Her position as champion natlon. 1ne
decree Lott, John Van Ryn and Will
her Allison, backed up by such players
Is Doeg, Coen, Mercur, Bell, Mangin
4nd a host Of others.
l one cannot prophesy, but one can
4uess that France will lose the DAVIS