Evening star., 1933-09-24
.HE Wardman Park, last and
grandest of local racket
meets, rings down the cur

grandest of local racket
meets, rings down the cur
tain on major net activity
for the year, a year that saw
tennis continue on its upward
trend toward greater prestige in
the Capital sports world.
A season unmarked by striking
change, a few high spots such as
and Latona's expulsion stand out.
Welsh's rise, McElvenny's march
In the fore part Of the season Mitch
ell continued his dominance Of the sim
giles field. capturing the city of Wash
ington and District of Columbia tour
neys. Dooly's decision not to compete
in the "ublic Parks tournament and
Welsh's uefault combined to prevent q
meeting between these two racketers
probably the Districts best. Such q
clash would have attracted more inter-
est than any Of the year. and have
settled a question raised by admirers
of the two lads since Welsh's capture
of the Public Parks Trophy.
Welsh, done over by Duke,
zoomed from No. 8 in 1882 to
clinch No. 2 position in the Dis
trict, and there are those who will
borrow your ear for lengthy Pc
RODS to present sundry reasons
why Babe" should rate over
Mitchell.
Had Barney hesitated long enough be-
fore shutting of to Duke to humble
the ringlet-topped Ge0getowner, his
right to top ranking would be undis-
puted. Had there been no Wardman
meet, Barney would probably have been
hoisted to the apex, since he apparent
ly held the edge up to that point, but
In view Of his default the peak posi-
ton appears certain to be occupied by
Mitchell.
"ONY LATONA'S dream OF nabbing
the Districts runner-up ranking
faded with Welsh'S rejuyenation
and became nightmare with the ap-
psarance of Ralph McElvenny. the gar
rulouS 1riShman from the Far West
McElvenny failed to sweep everything
before him, but seemed to have less
trouble disposing of Latona and Shore
than yours truly would have with a
fistful of world series Annie Oakleys.
Mac will land right side up with care
In No. 3, or Ghandi will bloom out in
a raccoon ulster, Roosevelt will be
wrong and I'll start playing good tennis.
Mrs. Ruth Martinez main
tanned. euen accentuuted, her
Sudy otter the feminine racquet
UielderS, routing all in her path
in the District of Columbia, pub
lie parks, Wdrdmcn Park and
District Women's Tennis League
tournaments.
Her form showed marked improve
ment over 1882, her most potent Wea-
pom, steady, powerful forehand again
proving too much for Clara Tabler,
Mary Ryan, Frances Walker and others
who would do the little schoolmarm
wrong. Abbi Sard upset Mrs. Martinez
in the City of Washington tourney,
but has failed to flash since.
Nineteen hundred and thirty-three
saw the inauguration Of the Govern
ment tourney, fracas designed ex-
clusively for Uncle Sans minions,
which undoubtedly will take its place
among the more important annual net
events. This tournament burst into
prominence with Latona's expulsion on
charges of professionalism and the un-
expected march of Ralph McElvenny,
who swept through without the loss
Of set, upsetting favorites and care
fully considered, seedlings.
THE District Lawn Tennis Associa-
tons Ranking Committee has
not dived into its annual huddle
as yet, but If we might be permitted