GREAT PLAYERS

Evening Post, Volume 32, Issue 32, 6 August 1931, Page 21

GREAT PLAYERS

THE TWO DOHEB.TYS

VALUE TO TENNIS

It will be,of interest to state that at the maiu entrance to the All England Ulub, at Wimbledon, memorial gates have been erected to the memory of K. F. and H. L. Doherty, the two famous brothers, who for so many years dominated the lawn tennis world, says an English sporting writer.

Froni 1897 "to 1906, "Big Do and Little Do," as they were alwa.) called, jnado England supreme in the game, for they were practically invincible both in singles and doubles. "E. F." won the singles championship from 1897 to 1900, and"H. L." from 1902 to 1906, while in , , association they captured the doubles championship on eight occasions. In addition, "H. L." won no fewer than 12 victories in the Davis Cup singles,-and-was-never defeated in this event, a record which oven "Big Bill" Tilden cannot claim. It w"as my misfortune never to see "Big Do" or "Little T>o" in action in their prime. When I saw them they were on the eve of retirement, chiefly for the reason, as I shall always believe, that there was no real incentive for them to persevere with a game which' owes very much to them.

I In my opinion the Dohertys, .; more than anyone else, were responsible for the popularity to which the game eventually attained. It is true that the Benshaws and Dr. Joshua Pirn, the greatest player Ireland has ever produced, "reigned" before the arrival of the two brothers, but, in their day, these pioneers of the game rather had matters all their own way, for the reason that other nations had not seriously attempted a jtport which is now played in every part of the world. ROMANTIC APPEAL. With the passing of the .Benshaws, lawn tennis did not attract the same attention as it did when they fascinated everyone' with their skill; and it was not' until the Dohertys, made S. rather romantic appeal to the whole country that tho game made an appreciable headway "in the affections of Englishmen.

There is little doubt that these two delightful personalities, both of whom died at an all too early age, raised the .standard of the game tremendously. In fact, although all condition* are far

better now than they were when they weie playing, there arc many people who believe that the present-day leading players would have failed to defeat them.

This is a matter which-can no\er be proved but it is unquestionable that H. L. Dolierty, in particular, was a much mor© consistent player than. Tilden, Cochet, Lacoste, or^Borotra. Thero wcro many matches he played in which not once did he servo a double fault—and yet lie possessed a powerful service—and no one, can recall a match |in which he was engaged when at once !he did not settle down to .a definite | scheme of attack, to reveal as quickly las possible any weaknesses, posesscd by his rival.

Those who never saw "Lauiie" DohertyJ but who have been amazed at the genius of Tilden, may form some idea of the brilliance of the Englishman when they arc assured, as they frequently have-been, by sound judges of tho game over a period of 40 years, that.these two men must bo regarded as the greatest players of all time. GREAT VALUE. I remember "once in a discussion of lawu tennis history with the American "wonder man," Tilden, remarking that tho play of such a man. as "Lauiie" Doherty must have been, of tremendous educational,, value to anyoue at all concerned with the iinprovment of his game. "Such a man in Amciica," ho remarked to me, "would have been a natural sporting 'idol' " —and this from a man as popular .in American' sport as Bobby Jones, the golfer, aud' Babe Ruth, the famous baseball player, is a compliment to the memory of a great English athlete.

The unfortunate pait of the whole thing is that with the passing of the Dohertys there was a rapid decline' in the lawn tennis of. Great Britain. This perhaps was inevitable in view of its adoption by country after country, several of which produced exceptional players, whereas our own men for some reason could not attain to their standaid.

At any jate, wd have been overwhelmed by tho brilliance of others, although there is some consolation in the fact that among them 'vero Norman Brookes, "Tony" Wilding, and Gerald ■""Htterson, all sons of the Empire. Whether wo shall eventually regain our former supremacy is problematical —I-fcan see little chance of our doing so for yeais to come—but if we do we shall need the scivices of men like "Big Do" aud "Little Do," who in skill, temperament, and unfailing confidence stood out for many years in. front.