TENNIS SENSATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 230, 27 August 1928, Page 7

TENNIS SENSATION

SUSPENSION OF TILDEN.

FAR-REACHING EFFECT LIKELY.

BOTH SIDES ISSUE STATEMENTS.

(Australian Press Association.) (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) NEW YORK, Aug. 25. • The United States Lawn Tennis Association after an all-night session found W. T. Tilden guilty of violation of tho player-writer rulo and indefinitely suspended him from liis amateur standing and participation in any of its tournaments. A statement subsequently issued recounts at length the controversy of previous years over player-writers, and affirms that every opportunity hao been given to a writer on tennis under certain fixed conditions. Tho main on© is that a tournament in which a player participates cannot be commented upon while such tournament is being played. It is pointed out that Tilden’s articles at tho recent Wimbledon tournament were a direct violation of rules of.which lie himself had approved and had undertaken to keep. Tho statement recounts previous socalled misdemeanours or. Tilden’s part, and concludes: “Tho violation charge is not an isolated one in his case, and tho whole course of Tilden’s activities compel the adoption of drastic measures.”

Tho statement, moreover, contains one observation which is causing considerable comment here —-namely, that the association views with satisfaction the high level of amateurism of other American players It is pointed out that at least half-a-dozen other players are making large sums of money from tennis writings very similar to Tilden’s. Tho action of the association does not make Tilden a professional, such as teachers who accept pay at clubs, but since it is known that the association’s executive committee has adopted tho ruling unanimously against him it is considered doubtful whether any request for reinstatement would receive favourable consideration. It is reported, however, that Tilden will make an immediate application. Reinstatement would occur at the pleasure of the association. TILDEN’S ALLEGATION. The suspension is certain to have a profound effect on American tennis, although it is too early at this time to forecast the full outcome. With a statement by Tilden taking violent issue with the association’s charges against him and promising to draw tho attention of all persons to the fact that he has dono more for American tennis than the members of the association committee which declared him guilty, there is every likelihood of a split in- the ranks of organised tennis here. The newspapers print open charges that not only Tilden, hut also other players have received padded expense accounts, and that a distinct flavour of professionalism has tinctured the sport here. Tilden’s statement, moreover, contains a charge that the tennis officials hero have sacrificed him over a numbear of years in tho interest of swollen gate receipts