BOROTRA CHALLENGED TO DUEL

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 232, 28 June 1935, Page 11

BOROTRA CHALLENGED TO DUEL

French Tennis Writer SECONDS ARRANGING DETAILS By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. (Received June 27, 7.15 p.m.) Paris, June 26. M. Didlier Poulain, the tennis expert of the newspaper “L’Auto,” confirms a report that he had issued a challenge to Jean Borotra, the French tennis player, following a lively exchange of letters dealing with Borotra’.s refusal to play in Davis Cup singles matches, although he was playing in Wimbledon singles. Borotra, in a letter to “L’Auto,” said: "M. Poulain, with evident lack of good faith, wrote that I could not play five sets. What I wrote was that I could not play five sets on hard courts.”

M. Poulain states that the challenge made was simply on professional grounds. “Borotra is a fine fellow, but we must have the right to make such technical criticism as we think fit.” "These matters in France are subject to a code of honour which the majority of Frenchmen respect unquestioningly,” said Borotra, iu an interview in London. “I must do likewise, because I am not prepared to change a word or a comma. I might choose pistols. I expect I have the choice of weapons.” Asked whether he had fenced much, he replied: "Only a few times in the last 10 years.” Borotra was returning to his hotel from Wimbledon when he received a registered letter from M. Poulain’s seconds, M Jean Renaud, famous fencer, and M. Jacques Goddet, Director of L’Auto. After telephoning to Paris, Borotra stated: “In accordance with the French code, I have asked my friends, Rene Lacoste and General Alvin, Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour, to second me, and communicate with M. Poulain’s friends concerning weapons, place and time. It is now a matter for the seconds.” Borotra lias written to M. Poulain’s seconds accepting the challenge, “MUST NOT RUN AWAY” y No Joking Matter, Says Borotra (Received June 27, 10.10 p.m.) London, June 27. Two French women rushed up to a member of the Legion of Honour nt' Wimbledon and implored him to prevent Borotra from duelling, exclaiming: “You must stop it; don’t let Borotra die.” * ■Wimbledon declines to take the niiTtter seriously, and suggests that the as-sault-at-arms might provide an interesting interlude on the centre court. Borotra, on the other hand, interviewed by the “News-Chronicle,” declared : “It is no joking matter. I could not face my fellow-countrymen if I refused to accept the challenge. It may be a foolish custom, but I must not run away?