LAWN TENNIS

Otago Witness, Issue 3885, 28 August 1928, Page 53

LAWN TENNIS

OFFICIAL RANKING LIST. WELLINGTON, August 21. bo perplexed was the New Zealand Ranking Committee at the problem presented to it by last season’s lawn tennis lot m that it had the utmost difficulty in separating the leading players. The official ranking of New Zealand’s first 12 now issued by the New Zealand Lawn tennis Association, reflects the puzzlement, and the list is sure of much criticism. Four Auckland, four Wellington, and J" ree Canterbury men are in the first 12, the other place being occupied by Dr J 1. Laurenson, of Waikato. Seven ladies are ranked, three from Wellington and two from Auckland and Canterbury. « xi? Place® are filled by the winners of the two National Singles Champions‘l1 Ps, the Ranking Committee has not held to its practice in rating as second the runners-up in those events. True, E. x Auckland, is ranked next to Olhvier, but Miss B. Knight, who reached the final of the Ladies’ Singles at Christchurch last season, is displaced by her team-mate, Miss Marjorie Macfarlane. One of the greatest surprises of the list is the fact that Camille Malfoy. Wellington’s brilliant young player, who had a very successful season, is ranked below Ivan Seay and D. G I rance. Malfroy and France did not meet last year, but Seay beat Malfroy in the Wellington-Canterbury Wilding Shield match. What carries France above Malfroy probably is the fact that h° gained two wins over Seay in three matches, one of these being a five-set conffifal the Wellinston Provincial Singles The ranking list is as follows:— 1. G. Ollivier (Canterbury). 2. E. L. Bartleet (Auckland). 3. D. G. France (Wellington). 4. I. A. Seay (Canterbury). o- C. E. Malfroy (Wellington). 6. J. T. Laurenson (Waikato). 7. L. G. Knott (.Auckland). A' S’ ms (Auckland). 9. C. Angus (Canterbury). 10. N. R. C. Wilson (Wellington). JL A’ L France (Wellington). 12. N. G. Sturt (Auckland). ~he seven ladies are ranked as follows: 1. Miss M. Speirs (Canterbury), o ss M. Macfarlane (Auckland). 3. Miss B. Knight (Auckland). 4. Mrs R P. Adams (Wellington). a. Miss M. Tracy (Wellington). Mfs W J. Melody (Wellington). 7. Miss M. Wake (Canterbury). THE NEWPORT TOURNAMENT. AUSTRALIANS IN CANADA. .MONTREAL, August 20. A message from Newport, Rhode Island, states that, displaying a creditable brand of tennis, Crawford advanced to Die third round in the twelfth annua' invitation tournament here by defeating Hobbs, 6—o, 6—l, and Burwell 6—4, 6 4. Moon defaulted to Derieou, and Cummings defaulted to Weld. Hopman arrived late, but will appear to-morrow for the first time. Patterson, it is understood, is not coming. To-morrow Crawford will meet Lott, the defeat of whom would be much in his favour. Critics said he appeared to be in excellent form.

VANCOUVER. August 21. .At Newport, Holbrook Hyde, of Springfield, Massachusetts, defeated Hopman by—4, 9—7, in the third round of the invitation tournament. VANCOUVER, August 21. At Newport, in the second round, Crawford defeated Arthur Ingraham (Providence), 6 —3, 6—3. „ In the third round Hunter defeated J. B. Fenno (Newport), b—3, 7—5, and Lott defeated E. L. Thalmeyer (Dallas). 6—3 6—3. In the fourth round Boeg defeated Robert Seller (San Francisco) 6—2, 4—6, 6—2. FRANCE BEATEN IN DOUBLES. MONTREAL, August 21. At Newport Australia and America teamed well, and in the afternoon eliminated France from the doubles. Hawkes and Washburn, the former doubles champion of America defeated Paul and Claud Derieou, 6—O, 6—2. The game could scarcely be termed a contest. Hawkes readily acquainted himself with th grass courts, and this was the principal factor in the match. His cannonball service and backhand cross-court shots were particularly impressive. FURTHER RESULTS. VANCOUVER, August 22. At Newport, Crawford defeated Herbert Bowman (New York), 6—3, 6—l. Hawkes and Washburn defaulted at match point against Hill and Johnson in the Casino tournament. Thev won the first set B—6,8 —6, and were leading in the games at 5—3 on Hawke’s service when they retired. Cummings and Moon won. two easy matches from American opponents. H. W. Austin and I. ’ Q. Collins (Britain) defeated Beals and Pratt (Newport), 6—l, 6-—O. HUNTER DEFEATED. NEW YORK, August 23. At Newport, Doeg defeated Hunter, 3—6, 3—6, 9—7, B—6, 6—l. VANRYN DEFEATS CRAWFORD. NEW YORK, August 23. At Newport, John Vamyn, a former Princeton tennis captain, defeated Crawford, 6—2, 6—4. 4—6, 7—5. It was a gruelling‘match, and Vanryn played brilliantly, especially in the first two sets, which he won comparatively easily. Crawford then broke through his opponent’s service Vamyn appeared to be tired, and Crawford was playing his characteristic game. Then Vanryn

regained his strength, and won with smashes at the net, which upset Crawford. The winner’s placements were also well executed, and his deep court game excellent. NEW YORK, August 24. At Newport Cummings and Moon defeated Aydototte and Coggeshall, 7 —5, 8— Lott defeated Mangin, 6 —2, 9— 7—5. Lott and Doeg defeated Malcolm Hill and Henry Johnston, 6—3, 9—7, 6—4. CUMMINGS AND MOON DEFEATED. NEW YORK, August 25. In the doubles Van Ryn and Allison, of Austin, Texas, defeated Cummings and Moon, 6—l, I—6, 10—8, 4—6, 7—5. Lott and Doeg defeated Van IQm and Allison in the final, 6—3, 6— 2, 6—l. Lott won the Invitation Singles con. test, defeating Van Ryn, 2—6, 6—O, 3—6, 6—2, 6—o. Allison and Van Ryn eliminated Cummings and Moon in a gruelling match. Without exception it was the most colourful match of the tournament. Cummings and Moon displayed brilliant tennis, especially at the net. Time and again they drew their youthful adversaries up to pass them with remarkable placements. The Americans won principally through Allison’s cannonball service and Van Ryn’s net play. A PRACTICE SET. NEW YORK, August 2Q. At Forest Hills Miss Helen Wills defeated Hawkes in a practice set, 6—3. A report from Newport state s that although it was previouslv announced that Hopman would not play to-day, the tournament managers considered it advisable to advance him to the third round, in which he defeated Dana, 7—5, 6 —l.

THE PLAYER-WRITER RULE. A LETTER FROM TILDEN. NEW YORK, August 22. Tilden has sent a letter to the United States Lawn Tennis Association stating that he will be unable to appear in person at the hearing of the charge of alleged professionalism on August 24, that he never intentionally violated the amateurwriter rule, that his articles were of an editorial nature, that any violation on his part was only a technicality, that he had made great personal and monetary sacrifices to aid the American Davis Cup team this year, and that he was ready to agree that he received no compensation for the Wimbledon articles in question. He concludes by asking that “ something should be done to clarify and accurately define the rights of a player under the player-writer rule.” A distinctly unfavourable impression has been caused by Tilden’s decision not to appear in person. It had been hoped that the entire position of American tennis would be clarified at an open hearing where a face to face discussion between the so-called conservative and liberal elements of tennis officialdom would help this sport over a dangerous transition period here. Tennis writers are particularly bitter over Tilden’s action, and some of them are asking, “ Has he turned tail and is fleeing? ” TILDEN SUSPENDED. NEW YORK, August 25. The United States Lawn Tennis Association, after an all-night session found Tilden guilty of violation of the playerwriter rule, and indefinitely suspended him from amateur standing and participation in any of its tournaments. A statement issued recounts at length the controversy of previous years over player-writers, and affirms that every opportunity has been given to the writer on lawn tennis under certain fixed conditions, mainly that the tournament in which the player participates cannot be commented upon while such tournament is being played, and that Tilden’s articles at Wimbledon were a direct violation of the rules of which he himself had approved, and which he had undertaken to keep. It is understood that Tilden can apply for reinstatement at any time, and such reinstatement would occur at the pleasure of the. association. The suspension is certain to have a profound effect on American lawn tennis, although it is too early at this stage to forecast the full outcome. - APPLICATION FOR REINSTATEMENT PROBABLE. NEW YORK, August 25. The association’s statement setting forth its decision presents the indictment against Tilden in no uncertain terms, recounting previous so-called misdemeanours on his part, and concluding: “ The violation charge is not an isolated one in his case, and the whole course of Tilden’s activities .compel the adoption of drastic measures.”

The statement, moreover, contains one observation which is causing considerable comment 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 lawn tennis writings very similar to that of Tilden. The 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 the ruling against him unanimously it is considered doubtful whether any request for reinstatement - would receive favourable action. It is reported, however, that Tilden will make an immediate application.

STATEMENT BY TILDEN. NEW YORK, August 25. With a statement by Tilden taking violent issue with the association’s charges against him and promising to draw the attention of all persons to the fact that he has done more for American Wn .^ e ” n * 8 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 ocen charges that not only Tilden but other players have received “padded” expense accounts and that a distinct flavour of professionalism has tinctured this sport, lilaen s statement, moreover, contains a charge that the lawn tennis officials have sacrified him over a number of years in the interests of swollen gate receipts.