Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-26
SEES GOOD IN LOSS
TO BR|TA|N'S TEAM
Thinks Playing of Shields and
Wood Logical and Best
for Future.
BY WILLIAM T. TILDEN, I'D,
World Professional Champion.


A WEEK of reflection is apt to
n clear the air after any I'M
4 n expected episode and allow
one a chance to see it in
its true light.
The defeat of the United States
Davis Cup team by the British.
which, in the first flush of the re-
verse, seemed such a startling up
set, on calmer reflection is hardly
more than a mild surprise.
1t seems to me to be almost logical
outcome of the policy Of our Davis Cup
Committee. a policy which I for one
approve Of in its entirety and feel is
constructive and a real step toward
bringing home the Davis Cup.
1t seems paradoxical TO call a defeat
in the interzone final a step forward
when each year since We lost the Gun
we entered the challenge round. vet
that is what it is Eacn previous year
olH team was combination of veteran
ND young stars. This year our team
was youth and only youth
Flaming youth may fame, but Il
needs seasoning to win. From every
standpoint consider that Frank Shields
and Sidney Wood made good in the
singles.
Took Logical Course.
have heard those critics who. 5000
miles away can win any match saw
they would have taken Wood out ana
put in Lott Why. for all that's sensi-
BILE do that' We pin our taith on a pair
of youngsters back in March and set
out to develop them. The two boys win
every tie. losing only one match until
the interzone final. What more could
they do?
At Wimbledon. the worlds greatest
tournament, they reached the final
round. On record they lead the world
and now, because they lose. some hind
sight critics say they would have played
Lott. Lott, fine player though he is,
had lost to Pat Hughes and Harry Lee,
neither of whom are good enough 10
make Ergland's singles team.
No. the only thing to 10 was to play
Shields and Wood and give them the
experience. even If by so doing defeat
was our portion. Austin is a player
who is close 70 the ve-" top in the
world. He will beat Shields and Wood
in Europe as often as they beat him.
Perry is more experienced than our
boys
1t was purely a case Of lack OF inter-
national experience that cost Is the in
terzone final. condition that the very
defeat will do much to remedy in the
case of Wood and Shields. Neither
Capt. Hardy nor the Davis Cup Selec-
ton Committee should be criticized fer
their choice 1t was the only sane and
clever team to put IN the field.
Royalty Likes Game.
While writing Of international tennis
may l tell just a bit about the homer
which their ma jesties, tbs King and
Queen of Siam paid 10 tennis as game
py their invitation TO Frank Hunter ana
me to play for them at the estate OF the
late Mrs. Whitelaw Reid, where they are
STAYING?
The King and Queen, both Of whom
are keen tennis fans. together with the
entire encourage of his majesty attend
ed. The King is a keen s-uGtnt OF the
game and following the play asked US
both to illustrate our various grips ana
strokes to the large gathering Of Young
Siamese sportsmen that his majesty nao
invited to witness the play.
The King showed great interest IN the
plav of two Siamese gentlemen who
Joined us in doubles. and expressed the
belief that the afternoon would bear
fruit in Siam as motion pictures were
taken to be shown on his return.
He displayed a remarkable interest IN
sport in general and tennis in parnc-
ular, but / judged that his recent eye
trouble had made his active participa-
ton less in the past few years. He
spoke of playing again on his return:
The Siamese style of play is very like
the japanese style. Both the foreign
stars showed to excellent advantage in
the doubles.
tCopyright. 1881 by the North American
NevsDaper Alliance, Inc