Evening star., 1938-07-18
JACOBS 0BDURATE
IN SCORN|NC AL|B|.
Refusal to Criticize Her
Conoueror in Any Way
wins PIaudits.
BY PAUY NICHOLSON,
Associated Press Sports Writer.

NEW YORK, July ia torn leg
tendon and merciless Helen Wills
Moody conquered Helen Hull Jacobs
in the all-England tennis champion
ships at Wimbledon, but she's still a
queen.
A queen of graciousneSs and modesty,
Miss Jacobs returned home aboard the
Cunard liner Georgic yesterday and
though she was beaten lady with a
score of alibis and squawks she re-
fused to lean on single one of them.
She even refused the pleas of news
photographers who begged her unsuc-
cessfully to pose with the 3-shilling
Malacca cane she required for support
of the swollen right ankle.
In few words she dismissed the
match with Mrs. Moody-the final that
found her limping about the court with
bad ankle and plunging into defeat
after holding her famed rival "A in
the first set.
Boys" she said, II haven't much
to say except that I do not intend to
retire from tennis competition. I hope
to play for years yet. I'm afraid III
have to pass up the Seabright tourna-
ment the latter part Of this month.
but hope to play In the Essex and
then the nationals at Forest Hills.
My injury, the doctor told me, is a
torn sheaf of the Achilles tendon.
It'll take two or three weeks for it to
get well, I'm afraid"
Evades Moody Question.
What about Mrs. Moody? What
did she say when the match was
over?" asked the reporters almost In
unison. Did she give any reason for
not suggesting rest during the
match? Wasn't she bum sport?"
IT have no blasts if that is what
you are looking for" Queen Helen said
with smile When it was all over,
I congratulated her and said I was
very sorry I wasn't in condition to
give her a better match. didn't
want a rest because wanted to get
the match over with. I was satisfied
with my game, but just couldn't go
on, and why hold up match? She
was playing very well, thought"
Miss Jacobs handed me her cane
as the photographers moved in so as
to be sure it wouldn't get into the
picture.
please don't let the cane get into
the picture she requested. Il can
stand without it for picture, but it's
a tremendous. comfort when walk
Reporters Fail.
In vain reporters attempted to draw
her into some fiery talk about Mrs.
Moody. Instead they learned:
Miss Jacobs had made her 26th
crossing OF the Atlantic. She gained
few pounds because of her enforced
idleness from tennis or walking. Her
ankle didn't pain her very much
though it required daily care. She
intends to stay in the East for an in
definite period, at least until after
the nationals in September. She
brought Border Terrier dog, named
Louie" over from England. She's
at work on another novel which is in
a "nebulous state" but will be given
considerable attention during her con-
valescence.
will you be glad to get another
crack at Mrs. Moody?" she was asked.
I'll be very, very happy to get back
playing tennis" she parried.
Then she told how grand Don Bulge
looked at Wimbledon. You know"
she said, Il believe Don is better even
than he was last year. My. never
saw a player make so few mistakes
He's marvellous. We saw a great
young prospect over there in an
English girl named Jean Nicoll. She's
only Is and has everything except ex-
perience."
Didn't Know Fans Reaction.
But Helen" persisted a reporter,
what was the reaction of the big
crowd at Wimbledon when you limped
about and Mrs. Moody never once
offered or suggested rest?"
"Oh, I couldn't say" Helen said.
"You know, when you're out on the
court playing, you're a million miles
from nowhere. Except for occasional
applause. you don't hear thing"
With that the lady who refused to
lean on alibis begged off, and the
reporters politely stepped aside.
The most modest sportswoman I
ever saw" remarked an old-time ship
news reporter. Can you imagine what
some of our stars, say Dizzy Dean,
would have to say if they came back
in the same circumstances"