Suzanne Keeps Queen Waitings, Then Refuses To Play; Pleas Fail.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17882, 25 June 1926, Page 6

Suzanne Keeps Queen Waitings, Then Refuses To Play; Pleas Fail.

CAUSES SENSATION AT WIMBLEDON.

Temper oused because SHE WAS BILLED IN BOTH SINGLES AND DOUBLES. Telegraph.—r*ress Assn.— Copyright. Aus. and X.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, June 23. Mdlle Lenglen was again responsible for a sensation at Wimbledon, when she kept thousands, including the Queen, waiting eighty minutes. Later it was announced that both Suzanne's games had been postponed owing to indisposition. Suzanne last week contracted hay fever and to-day consulted the King's throat specialist. Eventually she reached the ground *nd protested against being puled for singles and doubles consecutUely: She threatened the committee that if they objected to her late arrival owing to indisposition she would •cratch for all events.

Following a heated discussion Mdlle Lenglen returned to her hotel and left instructions that she must pot be disturbed.

The “Daily Express,’’ in an editorial states:—“Mdlle Lenglen's unpunctuality was inexcusable. The last thing the public wants is the suspension of a defaulting player. It only asks those

whom it delights to honour to merit their laurels, not only by skill but by the inexpensive virtue of ordinary good mariners.” The “ Daily Express” says:—“When Mdlle Lenglen left Wimbledon she looked hysterical. A portion of the crowd hissed and booed as her motorcar drove off." A statement was issued on behalf of Mdlle Lenglen to-night. It says that she is not seriously indisposed and hopes to be fit for the Franco-American doubles to-morrow. The statement added that the trouble began through a mistake, Suzanne being unaware that she was billed to-day to play in singles before the doubles. LONDON, June 23. The “Daily News,” commenting on the Lenglen incident, says: “Evidently this temperamental little creature must not be expected to descend to the level of ordinary mortals who read the notice boards. She had her moment of triumph. She kept a queen waiting. The ‘all-powerful’ committee was agonised with apprehension and the ‘allpowerful’ had to excuse her as it would have excused Royalty. The players chosen to play against her in the singles and doubles sportingly refused to claim a walk-over."

“ Sporting Life ” says Mdlle Lenglen was clearly indisposed on Tuesday, and was therefore somewhat justified in declining a strenuous afternono’s play, but the scratching threat was against all the canons of sport. The club should have resisted strongly, but failed in its duty because it was obsessed with Wimbledon’s financial aspect.