Emerson Fears McKinley

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30846, 3 September 1965, Page 17

Emerson Fears McKinley

(N Z. Press Association—Copyright I NEW YORK, Sept. 2. R. Emerson, the Wimbledon champion, fears the semi-retired C. R. McKinley more than the top-ranked R. D. Ralston among his American opponents in the United States national tennis titles, United Press International said today.

The championships at Forest Hills begin tomorrow, although Emerson, who is defending the men’s singles title, does not play until Saturday.

Emerson said yesterday: “The United States players all should be in top physical condition, especially the Davis Cup men, who recently played in Barcelona, and now Ralston has had a week of rest. “But McKinley has so many shots, and he fights so hard, he can hurt you more. And the record shows Ralston often has trouble winning the big match. “I know McKinley is just a week-end player now and so is Richardson, but maybe I'll meet them on a week-end,” Emerson joked. McKinley, ranked second in the United States, has curtailed his tournament play sharply thjs year since taking a job with an investment firm.

Overseas players are expected to be dominant in the championships. While all the experts look to a repeat of the Wimbledon final between the two Australians. Emerson and F. Stolle, the American players, smarting under their Davis Cup defeat by Spain last month, will be all out to prove their worth before their home fans. Miss Tl Smith (Australia) is seeded one to take the women’s title from Miss M. E Bueno, of Brazil. Miss Bueno, runner-up to Miss Smith at Wimbledon, has won the United States title for the last two years, as well as in 1959.