TILDEN’S STATUS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 10 August 1928, Page 5

TILDEN’S STATUS.

MAY BE DECLARED A PROFESSIONAL.

POSSIBLE EFFECT OF DECISION

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) NEW YORK, Aug. 8. The return of the defeated American Davis -Cup team to-day brought actively to American attention the fact th'at an important decision must, shortly be reached concerning Tilden’s position, and something in the nature of a to volution in American tennis is impending. The United States Lawn Tennis Association executive will render a decision as to Tilden’s amateur standing on August 24, and it is surmised lie will be declared a professional, despite the fact that it. is understood Tilden’s defence will be that he in no way violated the player-writer rule by “covering” Wimbledon in a news sense, but actually only commented thereon.

The position is .complicated by the fact that Tilden is still the greatest drawing card with the public, and liis d iisqu-al ifile ati'o n. would seriously minimise the popular interest in the forthcoming national singles and doubles. The gate receipts in American .tennis -have unquestionably assumed such vast importance that tljcy frankly overshadow the ostensible amateur character of -this sport. The New York, Philadelphia and Boston -clubs have erected monster plants at great cost, and these institutions face financial peril from anything that will reduce the number of spectators at important matches. It is stated on excellent authority that important- tennis interests are so Worried over the situation, including the probability that Tilden, always the stormy petrel of American 'tennis, would be disqualified, t'ha.t it -seriously considered, if the latter is declared a professional, to permit, the use of 'the west side of the stadium and other important stadia for open championships, and if -possible to arrange a series of malche-s between professionals and amateurs immediately after the national singles on -September 12 to recoup 'the financial losses. It is understood Vincent Richards has been -consulted and it is believed he would be ready, if Tilden joined him, to bring over certain well-known European professionals for these matches Tilden, however, to-day declared that he would not play professional tennis, -even if he were declared a professional. Open championships would undoubtedly completely change the -character of American tennis, with unforeseeables consequences.