The Washington times., 1938-03-02
Perry Lacks Killers
Desire, Vines Claims
But Is Greatest
In the Game
DefensiVe|y

ORLANDO, Fla. March al
Fred Perry, erstwhile champion
lawn tennis champion of the
world, and ruler of the center
court at Wimbledon, had the
killers resolve that drives Don
Bulge to victory at the nets. the
flashing Briton would be invinc-
ible.
The authority for that state
ment is Ellsworth Vines, a former
champion of the world himself.
Who arrived in Orlando today to
play Perry on the courts at exposi.
ton Park tonight. Perry is the
greatest defensive player on the
courts today. Vines says. and if
his temperament were just bit
more vicious: if he were just a
mite more aggressive, he would be
unbeatable. AS court coverer,
Perry is supreme.
Vines did not discuss the mat
ter of personal friendship in his
tennis tour with Perry. 1t is no
secret that this is a bread and
butter proposition with no quar-
ter asked nor shown. The victor
in this tour of the country, their
second in consecutive years, will
be the man to dictate terms and
financial considerations when and
if Don Bulge forgets the glory Of
amateuriSm and adopts the nor
NAL course of sport for the sake
of gold.
PERRY LEADS
Perry has won more games and
more sets from Vines than any
other player the lanky Californian |
ever met before.
He is a phenomenal court
coverer," Vines told the writer
this morning, referring to Perry.
He has exceptional speed, and
his ability to make shots from
any angle makes it almost i'm
possible to pass him or shoot
aces through him. But he is not
the vicious player that Bulge
is. For that, 1 am rather CRATE
full" /
Vines went into the history OF
lawn tennis and picked the all
shot" team of recent history.
Since he has met most Of the men
he discusses, his opinions carry
the merits of authority.
Bill Tilden carried more
guns than any other player
when he was at his peak" Vines
said. He had wealth of shots,
and the style. ability and judg-
ment to use them to greatest
advantage. Many regard Maui
rice Mclaughlin as the king OF
service. Perhaps he was, but
Tilden could rifle the ball over
a net.
GREATEST FOREHAND
"Tilden had the greatest fore
hand drive of any man. He was
consistent. accurate, and above
all, powerful with this stroke;
he was master of the chop
stroke, and by virtue of un-
canny control. could turn the
drop shot into an offensive
weapon at the net when he
stormed the nets.
Bulge is master of the back
hand shot," continued Vines.
He powers a ball over the net
with terrific speed from the
bankhand, playing it as well or
better than many of the rank
ing courtsmen play their fore
hand smashes.
But Bulge at his best is
Bulge on an overhead smash.
His uncanny sense of timing
enables him to put more power
into the overhead stroke than
any man you are apt to see for
a long time.
BOROTRA AND COCHET
Jean Borotra, the bounding
Basque, was master of the vol
ley, and Henri Cochet was
adept at the half volley, smash
ing the ball to his rivals ankles
for points in the pinch"
Vines went along and talked of
the game and its development.
He shrugged when asked what he
thought of Budge's decision to
continue in the ranks of men who
never accept checks for another
year.
What interests Vines is his
match with Perry tonight, and
with a sport loving public storm
ing the gates for the match. the
indications are that Orlando
shares his interest.
Milton Crawford