GENEROUS OFFER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21921, 3 October 1934, Page 20

GENEROUS OFFER

TENNIS CHAMPION TEMPTED WANTED FOR TILDEN TROUPE It is becoming increasingly difficult for the best amateur lawn tennis players to refuse the temptation to become professionals, especially if they aie young, hold the highest amateur championships, and their financial positions would benefit by the change over, says an English writer. F. J. Perry, the world's best lawn tennis player, is reported to have refused an offer of £IO,OOO made to him in the United States to join'the "Tilden Troupe.' It is a big sum to refuse. And the offer did not end there, for Perry also had dangled before his eyes the dazzling profits known to have been made by Kllswortli Vines, Henri Cochot and W. T. Tilden (to mention but three names) since they forsook their amateur status and embarked on a series of exhibition matches throughout the United States. If Perry had joined with Tilden and company ho would probably have been entitled to the lion s share of the profits. These exhibition matches are very popular in the United States, and thoso played between Tilden and Vines and Tilden and Cocliet at Madison Square Gardes, New York, have always attracted bumper "houses." While there are no authentic figures to go on, I understand from the American players who took part in the recent Wimbledon championships, that Vines in his first year as a professional netted more than £12,000 as his share of the profits. Tilden, the brains of tho movomont, is credited with having made a fortune since ho turned professional in 1931. It speaks well tor Perry's conrago that he was able to refuse such an offer. But, knowing Tilden as I do, I feel sure that hiß manager will not take the refusal as final. Porry will bo offered more money and better terms, and it may well be that the sum will be so 'large that it will seem folly to refuse it. Miss Mary Lawson, the actress bride-to-be of Perry, does not believe that he will ever turn professional lawn tennis player. "We have discussed tho question many times, and he does not seem at all keen on the idea," Miss Lawson told a Daily Mail reporter. "I know Fred would not play for money alone; he is so keen on the sporting side of the game."