France Triumphant.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19104, 13 September 1927, Page 8

France Triumphant.

For the first time a nation outside the English-speaking world has • won the Davis Cup. Indeed, when Coehet beat Johnston and the Cup was won, Nordic race fanatics in the United States may well have wept, for here was a team of Latins putting their pet theory to shame. There was the victory, and it could not be explained away—a victory and a portent. England invented the game of lawn tennis and taught it to the rest of the Empire j and to America. In time both Australia and the United States bettered the example, and the teacher has fallen so far below the level of the taught that it is fifteen years since the British Isles held this, the most coveted trophy of the game. The rest of the world, however, was not idle. Even before the war, Germany and Prance produced first-class players. The entry of foreign countries into this English game was received at first with indulgent curiosity, then with wonder, and then with apprehension, while tennis proceeded to conquer the world until it has become the most widespread and popular of all outdoor games. France raised the standard of her play step by step until it was well above England's and only slightly below that of the United States; but for some time the defence was too strong. Tilden and Johnston had no equals in the world. In the modern world, however, there are' no immortal twin brethren, and no doubt these famous players have been defeated partly by time. The Frenchmen's triumph on Saturday was achieved in conditions that might have daunted some players. When they went on to the court on that last .day, they knew they had to win both matches to win the Cup. They won them both without being pushed to a fifth set. This shows that these Frenchmen have not only tie requisite skill but the right disposition for the game. The reputation of French players used to be rather that they were brilliant but apt to break down under strain. There was no sign of collapse on Saturday; determination joined with fine technique won the day. It was a great triumph, and all the world will congratulate France on this success after so many gallant attempts. Not only is the standard of play in France very high, but there are many other players who are almost on the same level. The game is one that appeals to the French temperament, perhaps rather more than to the English. It suits the Frenchman's j liking for verve and dash. At any I rate, there is no sign that, so far as the men are concerned at any rate, Britain has any prospects of beating France at the game that was born and fostered in England. Probably France will be the leading tennis country in Europe for Svme years to come, and then — well, who knows? Tennis now belongs tp the world, and we may see the Davis Cup housed in the'capital of Finland,, •

Czecho-Slovakia, Poland, Switzerland, or Bulgaria. This, however, leaves out of account the other continents. Australia may make further bids for it; Bolivia or Peru may enter teams, or China may take home the trophy to one of her several political capitals. But there is one disquieting feature. If all the world is going to compete for the Davis Cup, the contests will stretch over the whole or most of the year, and players will be players and little else; though that, thank goodness, will not prevent perfectly obscure and sometimes hopelessly incompetent men and women from thoroughly enjoying the game on suburban courts.