TENNIS SENSATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 175, 25 June 1926, Page 7

TENNIS SENSATION

CREATED AT WIMBLEDON.

QUEEN KEPT .WAITING,

MDLLE. LENGLEN’S ATTITUDE. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, June 23., Mdlle. Suzanne Lenglen was again responsible for a Wimbledon sensation, when she kept thousands, including the Queen, waiting for 80 minutes. Later it was announced that both Mdlle. Lenglen’s games were postponed owing to the player’s indisposition. Suzanne last night contracted hay fever and to-day consulted the King’s throat specialist. Eventually she reached the ground and protested against being billed for singles and doubles consecutively. She threatened the committee that if they objected to her late arrival owing to indisposition she would scratch for all events. Following a heated discussion Mdlle. Lenglen returned to her hotel and left instructions that she must not be- disturbed. 'A statement issued on- behalf of Suzanne to-night, says that she is not seriously indisposed, and hopes to be fit for the Franco-American doubles to-morrow. The statement added that the trouble began through a mistake, ; Suzanne being unaware, that she was billed to-day to play in the "singles before • fjie doubles.—A. and N.Z. cable, .p'

BOMBSHELL TO CROWD. DAY’S PROGRAMME RUINED LONDON, June 23. Mdlle. Lenglen’s action came like a bombshell to the great crowd at Wimbledon, completely ruining the afternoon’s programme and the public’s enjoyment, and disappointing , the Queen, who had made a special journey to Wimbledon to see her play. When Mdlle. Lenglen failed to appear, the committee telephoned to her hotel. Mdlle. Lenglen replied, refusing' to play in the singles, before the vital doubles. She then motored to the ground and entered the committee room, where she had a stormy scene with the officials. Borotra and Brugnon strove hard to get Suzanne to change her mind, the former kneeling and'pleading with her to be reasonable and not keep the Queen waiting, but she remained adamant, threatening to pack up her bags and leave immediately, declaring she had not received notification that she was to play., in the singles before the doubles. ' ' In the meantime the crowd was waiting anxiously. Officials and, later, Borotra approached the Queen with explanations - anti apologies. The Queen appeared to be annoyed and left her box, but afterwards returned. After a lengthy delay other matches were proceeded with. Subsequently the committee posted a notice stating that owing to Mdlle. Lenglen’s indisposition they were unable to carry out the day’s programme, but hoped, that she would be well enough to play in both matches tomorrow. Mdlle. Lenglen declares that she tried to telephone the committee in the morning to alter the programme, as she was feeling unwell, and had not the slightest idea that she was due to play that day. She hoped to be better on the morrow. If not she was extremely unlikely to play, because she was afraid the committee would not postpone the match again. The committee denies any record of Mdlle. Lenglen" having telephoned, ask- K ing for an alteration in the programme. Mdlle. Lenglen has conveyed to the Queen her personal regrets at her inability to play to-day.—Sydney Sun cable.

NEWSPAPER COMMENT.' LONDON, June 23. The Daily News, commenting on the incident, says: “Evidently this peramental little creature must not’ be expected to descend to the level of ordinary mortals, who read notice boards. She had her moment of triumph and kept a Queen waiting, and an all-powerful committee was agonised with apprehension; the allSowerful had to excuse her as it would ave excused royalty. The players chosen to play against her in the singles and doubles sportingly refused to claim a walk-over.” The Daily Express, in an editorial, states: “Mdlle. Lenglen’s unpunctuality was inexcusable. The last thing the public wants is the suspension of a defaulting player. It only, asks those whom it delights to honour to merit the laurels, not only by skill, but by the inexpensive virtue of ordinary good manners.” The Express adds: “When Mdlle. Lenglen left Wimbledon she looked hysterical. A portion of the crowd hissed and hooted as her motor car drove off.” —A. and N.Z. cable.

CLEARLY UNWELL.

LONDON, June 24. The Sporting Life says Milo. Lenglen was clearly indisposed on Tuesday, and for that reason she was somewhat justified in declining a strenuous} afternoon’s play, but tho scratching threat was against all the canons: of sport. The club should have resisted strongly, but failed in its duty because it is obsessed with Wimbledon’s financial aspect.—A. and N.Z. cable.

WOMEN’S DOUBLES

MDLLE LENGLEN AND PARTNER BEATEN. Received June 25, 11.15 a.m. LONDON, June 24. At the Wimbledon tennis tournament, in the women’s doubles, Misses Ryan and Browne beat Mdlles Lenglen and Vlasto 3 —6, 9 —7. 6—2. In tho second round of the women’s singles Mrs Beamish beat Miss Stephens 6 —o, 6—3. In tho fourth round of the men’s singles Cochet beat Lester 6—2, 7—5, 6-—4. —A,, and NiZ. cable.