THE ABSOLUTE SUPERIORITY OF HELEN WILLS-MOODY IN SINGLES TENNIS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 25 February 1932, Page 2

THE ABSOLUTE SUPERIORITY OF HELEN WILLS-MOODY IN SINGLES TENNIS.

Mrs Helen Wills-Moody lias esablished in the singles game in lawn tennis a supremacy perhaps more absolute thajn that (possessed l (by the famous Suzanne Lenglen, comments an English writer. To-day Mrs Wills-Moody is the reigning champion for the seventh time, and im: the last four years she has not lost a set in a major meeting. Incidentally, last year in the Wightman Cup at Wimbledon Mrs Watson very nearly broke that record, when she stood 5-love, and 30-all im the first set. It is another story in doubles, for here Mrs Wills-Moody cannot claim so emphatic a superiority. Since 1922 she has been doubles champion with various partners four times, which is good, but not good enough if measured by her singles performance. The American champion is a baseline player and no volleyer in the true sense, and if one has not the real touch for the volley plus that quicker anticipation which, accompanies the born volleyer r s aptitude, one will never learn. Mrs WillsMoody does not possess this aptitude, and that is why she is not doubles champion to-day, but of her aptitude from the back of the court there is no question. It was much the same story with Tilden—unrivalled in singles, lie was not so great in doubles, though good enough, of course* to win the American title five times and our own once. It is not perhaps generally recognised how much the two games vary, nor are the subtleties of the doubles game sufficiently appreciated.