TENNIS STAR'S FIRST CONTACT WITH ROYALTY

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6920, 28 May 1929, Page 4

TENNIS STAR'S FIRST CONTACT WITH ROYALTY

TILDEN’S RIDE IN DUKE’S CAR.

LONDON, May 16. “Tho most thrilling and amusing incident in my tennis career,” is how W. T. Tilden, tho famous tennis player, describes his being summoned to play with the Duke of York at Buckingham Palace in 1921. Tho incident is described in Tilden ! s book of reminiscences.

“The Duke sent a big white Royal Rolls Royce to the Carlton Hotel, where I was staying,” says Tilden. “A ter-ribly-impressed doorkeeper and two bellboys escorted mo to tho car. “Riding towards the Palace was one succession of laughs for me when 1 saw the disappointed expressions on the faces of Londoners. Recognising the motorcar, they expected a glimpse of Royalty. Instead, they saw a strangc-Jooking, unknown individual in tennig kit.

“What a clown I felt; but I guess i didn’t feel half such a clown as I looked. However, the Duke’s courtesy and graciousness soon put mo at ease. He is an excellent player, and is enthusiastic about the game. Our three sets were unique in my career.” Tilden recalls that the arrival of the King and Queen at Wimbledon caused him the most Clustered moment of his life. “The King nodded and smiled at me,” he says, “but I was hopelessly confused. I bowed, and sent the next three shots out of the court.”