LAWN TENNIS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17350, 15 May 1924, Page 4

LAWN TENNIS.

AMATEUR RUUNG. TILDEN’S OFFER. Hy Telegraph—Prwtt Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. NEW YORK. Jay 15. In tho forthcoming issue of a tennis publication Tilden criticises the recent amateur ruling:, but declares his willingness to play in the Davis Cup matches if the Tennis Association should oall a meeting' to rc-hear his case, and, if the constituent clubs should uphold him, Tilden offers to withdraw his resignation when the meeting is announced and promises to abide by the decision of the clubs. The article states: “According to the ruling a so-called amateur, if caller' upon to play a hard match, involving overexertion, ceases to be an amateur because he is gaining therein neither amusement nor physical benefit. Surely an association, which sends a man 45,000 miles in eighteen months in order to bring back vne trophy, has professionalised that man Tennis is commercialised by tho association, not by the players. The huge gate receipts at national championships and Davis Cup matches are a far more dangerous influence toward professionalism than written articles. The time has come to re-writ© the amateur rule. Also, the association must uphold its own standard and abolish gate receipts at official matches. Pursuant to Tilden’s request, tho Tennis Association announced that a meeting would soon be held at which tho clubs would pronounce final judgment on the player-writer issue. The prompt acceptance or Tilden a suggestion has revived the hopo that the matter will be amicably settled, and Tilden 6 amateur standing restored.