Evening star., 1938-08-22
ACES DESERT|ON
TO PROS FEARED
Officials Afraid Arrogant
Bobby Also Will Bolt
if Disciplined.
BY DREW MIDDLETON,
Associated Press Sports Writer.

NEW YORK, Aug 22-You may
have overlooked it in an eagerness to
bone up on the Sudeten and Japanese
beetle situations, but tennis in these
United States is in the midst of its
biggest year since pioneer days when
small boys hollered: What's the score,
dearie, 40-love?" and hove clods at any
one in tennis flannels.
The Eastern tournament season is in
full swing and the crowds are large
enough to make Mike Jacobs swoon
with envy. Just ahead are the Davis
Cup defense and the national singles
at Forest Hills and the doubles at
Brookline, Mass The fans are ex-
pected to jam the stands for all three.
That all this would fill the United
States Lawn Tennis Association with
JOY is reasonable enough deduction.
But two large flies are frisking about
in the ointment and until they are
eliminated the u S. L. T. A. will be
far from happy.
Budge's Future Big Worry.
Fly No. is the question of whether
j, D. Bulge, Esq, will turn professional
at the close of the Eastern season
Bulge is lanky. intelligent young
man who also is the best amateur
tennis player in the world. He has
one of the best backhands ever de-
veloped, tremendous stamina and the
biggest American tennis reputation
since Tilden's. His early background
included an Oakland, Calf, laundry,
but his later years have been lived on,
to coin phrase, the fat of the land
and it is reasonable to assume he has
a yen to continue living on same.
He is intelligent enough to- know
that in three or four years some kid
will come along and paste his ears
back and he promptly will be relegated
to the ndflight tournaments-and
expense accounts. If he remains an
amateur all he will have when he is
through will be calloused dogs and
large collection of cups which are nice
to look at, but poor eating.
Not Apt to Reject Pro Bid.
If he wins the national singles
and becomes the first to take the
Australian. French, British and Amer
lcan national titles in calendar wear,
he will be ripe for the pro offers.
Donald has said no one has ap-
preached him lately with offers, but
he has issued no ringinfi defiance of
the money-changers. When the Of
fers come, after the nationals, he prob
ably will grab with both hands.
The U. S. L. T. "A could bear all
this II it had complete faith in
Bobby Riggs. who will take over the
No. ! amateur spot if Bulge turns
pro. Riggs will help Bulge defend
the Davis Cup and. as tennis runs
strictly to form, will be the opposi-
ton in the finals of the nationals.
just the same this talented young
Chlcagoan is fly No. 2.
The governing body. which has die
tatorial powers over tennis that Mus
solini might envy. does not see eve
to eye with Master Riggs in some
cases. 1t is all for maintaining the
--o'''ii Va ohiotCui UFIHliS. ana some
OF Riggs swankv belongings and trips
cause it much pain and loud cries
Of mot cricket"
Riggs Irks Opponents.
Also, where Bulge is a friendly
fellow, we'll liked even by his VIC
Tins, Riggs is an arrogant youngster.
There is none of this mice game.
Bobby" stuff when he wins. Joe
Hunt, who lost to him in the finals
of the Eastern grass courts champion
ships at Rye. N Y. said kindly,
That little so-and-so, I'll beat him
the next time"
creditable feeling. but it sounds
like a big league teams locker-room
and to the U. S. L, T. A. it distinctly
is not the thing. Not British" as
the boys say at Lindy's.
The solons would like to teach
Robert some manners. but they are
IN tough spot. If they do and
Bulge turns pro. Riggs may follow
him, and there will be no one to beat
back the Australians or the Germans
in another year when the cup goes
on the line. If thev don't, Riggs will
raise more hob with tennis tradition
than any one since Maurice Nc
Loughlin revolutionized the technical
side of the game