Evening star., 1937-07-24
PARKER'SNETPLAY|
.LAUDED BY BRITISH
Lad in First Davis Battle
Today Hailed as One to
Regain Cup for U. S.
BY SCOTTY RESTON.
Associated Press Sports Writer,

W YIMBLEDON. England, July
\A/ 24,-Frankie Parker, who
" " has been making tennis
headlines almost since he
could read them. had chance to
make the ancient predictions of the
United States tennis critics come true
today as the youthful American ten
mis- forces from across the Atlantic
sought to break Englands four-year
hold on the Davis Cup.
Ever since he shared in the United
States boys doubles titles In 1880
Parker has been hailed as the lad to
get back the coveted tennis trophy
and at last it looked as if he would
at least have chance to help do lust
that
Now at the superior age Of 2l
Parker's name was posted on Wimble-
don's famed center court board along
side that of Britain's H. w. (Bunnv)
Austin in the first of the two singles
matches scheduled for today as the
United States team set out hopeful of
bringing back the cup to New York,
from where it left in 1927 when the
French beat Bill Tilden and COM
pany.
OF course, with red-thatched Don
Bulge around, frankie could practi-
cally fall dead and the United States
still would be the outstanding choice
to whip and English team shorn Of
much of its strength when Fred Perry
turned professional. Bulge plays
Charley Hare in the second singles
match. But British tennis fans have
taken the handsome Parker to their
heart with the result several London
critics give him a good chance Of
beating Austin.
British Crictics Back Parker.
DARKER first inspired critical at
tention here at the recent all
England championships when he de-
feated Heinrich Henkel the German
who beat Americas Bryan Grant in
the inter-zone finals. Until then
Parker was just the American boy
wonder" on this side
When. however he proceeded to win
a set from Bulge in the semi-finals
OF. the same tournament-the only set
the American ace lost in the entire
mpionship-London critics unani-
mously named him, americas No 2
and good one at that" The bench
ing Of him in favor Of Grant in the
inter-zone competition only increased
Parker's prestige.
Critics loudly condemned Walter
Pate, American captain, fatty stating
he'd be to blame If the United States
was beaten in the interzone finals by
Germany.
Parker handled this awkward sit
uation well. He went to Grant and
told him: Don't pay any attention to
those guys. Go out thare and show
them they're wrong" Frankie also
helped Grant practise for the inter-
zone matches and was around consoI-
ing Bltsy after each defeat.
Grant repaid him for his sports
manshlp. Before the challenge round
draw, he went to Pate and told him
he was off his game and asked that he
be left off the team in favor of Parker.
England Has Little Hope.
HE other singles match Of the day
was given little thought. It was
taken for granted that Bulge would
beat Hare in straight sets, with little
more than a good workout for Tues
days clash with Austin.
In fact, England has almost given
UP hope Of beating the United States
IN the series. with the team Of Bulge
and Gene Mako strongly favored over
Brltalns new doubles combination of
c, r. D. Tuckey and r. H. D. Wilde
Monday. The final singles matches
will bring together Bulge and Austin
and Parker and Hare.
The English critics point out that
Bulge, Parker and Mako, all born in
1915, are just coming into their prime,
whereas Austin and Won Cramm. their
only serious rivals, are both going
doWnhill
The feeling is that the United
States will keep the cup until Bulge
goes the way OF Perry, Ellsworth Vines
and Bill Tilden in joining the pro-
fessional ranks.