A GREAT PLAYER.

Northern Advocate, 26 September 1919, Page 6

A GREAT PLAYER.

THE WORLD'S LADY CHAMPION.

LITTLE SUSANNE LENGLEN,

Referring to the match for the championship of the world between the little French girl Susanne Lenglen and Mrs Lambert Chambers at Wimbledon the "Referee" declares it was really classic and attracted the King and Queen and many of the naval and military notables, also something like ten thousand spectators at prices that count. Prior to the eventful game the Vicomtesse de Papre interviewed the French girl on her experiences of English tennis and hor ideas as to the future. Here is the story by tho Vicomtesse: '' The famous French girl athlete, Mdlle, Suzanne Lenglen, has undoubtedly taken the hearts of English folk by storm. Her name is on everybody's lips, and whenever she took the court at Wimbledon the stands were filled to overcrowding. " 'I am longing to get back to France so that I may enjoy a well-earned rest,' she declared, then added, by way of an afterthought, 'and.eat really good confectionery. Since my arrival in London I have not done a single theatre. Every day as soon as I have finished at Wimbledon I have hurried to my hotel, dined, and sought my room. ' 'Whilst thoroughly appreciating many articles that have appeared about me in the Press, I have been painfully surprised by tho publication of certain sketches, in which it seems to mo I have been held up to ridicule. Their author evidently has forgotten that a girl's fclings should be spared. Ho has forgotten to be chevaleresque towards the weaker sex.

" 'Will you say, once and for all, that I am not engaged to anybody? You can add tluu 1 am madly in love with—sport. The pressmen insist that i am about to be maried. Why won't they tell me who is my Prince Charming? MA'M'SELLE'S ADVICE. " 'Now you ask me for some hints on how to become a fir.s;-chiss tennis player. You must start by playing in your youth. Play frequently and regularly, but not for too long a stretch. Do not neglect other sports, particularly Swedish drill, by means of which you can keep your body supple and in perfect condition. " 'At the end of a year of such training you should play very passably. Beginners cannot do better than play I against a wall, which returns the ball just as though it has been hit back. In playing against an opponent strive continually to correct your faults and endeavour to improve yotir stylo. " 'Remember this—no matter how good your form may be, there is always room for improvement. Personally know quite well that I make constant progress. " 'In championship play the mental strain is quite as great as the physical. One has to analyse quickly the tactics of one's adversary, discover his weak points, and tempt him to the opposite side of the court to that in which intends to place the winning return. '' ' Having now played on grass, I can say that I prefer hard courts. I have at present two great desires. The first is to go to America to meet Miss Molla Bjwestedt. The second is to have a trip in an aeroplane! INVITED TO AUSTRALIA. " 'I have been invited to visit Australia. . Unhappily, like the American trip, this one is impossible. My parents don't like travelling, and they won't let me go alone. " 'I expect to return to France on Monday, and after a few days in Paris I shall have a short holiday by the sea before taking part in my next contests. I fear I shall be unable to be at Deauville for the championships at the end of August, as, in all probability, I shall then have to defend my right to a cup I hold at Le Toquet (Paris-Plage). " ' I have quite a number of cups and other trophies now,' she admitted, smilingly. 'In 1913, when I was fourteen, I had already won three, and "on the Riviera last winter I added six more to my collection, to say nothing of many trinkets and silver prizes. Une veritable branch dv British Museum, comme vous le voyez!'"