TENNIS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11768, 15 October 1932, Page 10

TENNIS

DRAMATIC STORY OF A BOY CHAMPION. Frankie Parker, America’s latest lawn tennis discovery, who recently met G. M. Lott, in the United States Western championship and who will bo scon at- ’Wimbledon next year,- is the most- picturesque boy star ever thrown np by municipal courts. His story reads like fiction. He is a Pol® of humble birth —an orphan. His real name is Pinjakowski (pronouncesd Pienyakoff sky). He is 161 years of age. stands oft Tin and weighs 1351b5. When Frankie was a year old his father was killed while driving a Detroit dump-cart and his mother worked bravely to keep the family in baro necessities. Two brothers are now out of work, and the-third is a worker in a small eating-house. Before reaching his ’teens, Frankie found an old tennis racket- in a dustbin. .Somehow ho came by an uncovered rubber ball, and there was near by an accommodating wall. That is how this new lawn tennis sensation began. From backyard wall to the public parks court was the next stop. Frankie Parker had genius, a marvellous eye, and soon began compete ra the boys’ tournament* in the parks. The family moved to Milwaukee. Frankie -sold newspapers on the streets and caddied at the golf club, but he continued to find evening hours for pis beloved game. ■ Then came the dramatic stroke which transformed Frankie into the fortunate youth. Mercer Beasley, tho famous lawn tennis coach, who had ' taught Ellsworth Vines and Sutter and WSlraer Allison, saw young Pinjakowski. Beasley was enthusiastic. He found a wealthy town burgher to adopt' the hoy. Frankie was put to a boardingschool, sot- to work on building-up exercises, fortified by a carefully-plan-ned diet, while Beasley mapped out his lawn tennis schedule. Four years ago Frankie competed in the national junior tournament. For three years ho gni further each time. Last, summer lie became junior champion. This year he is sure of a place amongst America’s “first ten.;’ “He is right in the first five of tho top flight.” writes Fritz Mcrcur. “His controlled speed is the amazing thing about Frankie,” says Beasley. “He is still growing. T?is reach will improve, but for his weight he already has-a first service amazingly fast and deftly placed.” He is the talk less wonder of the mid-west courts. No fireworks or hysterics: just brilliant tennis. His connection and anticipation go hand-in-hand: that is the secret- oi Frankie’s iron-man control. Beasley has nicknamed him the “little strong silent man/