TENNIS SENSATION

Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1926, Page 1

TENNIS SENSATION

SUZANNE’S ILLNESS, fAustralia & N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, June 24. Mademoiselle Suzanne ' Lenglen was again responsible for a Wimbledon sensation, when she kept thousands, including the Queen, waiting eighty minutes. I.liter, however, it was announced that both of Suzanne’s games had to be postponed owing to her indisposition. Suzanne last night contracted hay fever, and to-day she consulted the King’s throat specialist.' Eventually she reached the ground, and she then protested against being hilled for both the singles and doubles cosecutivoly. She threatened the Committee that if they objected to her late arrival owing to her indisposition, she would scratch for all events. Following on a heated discussion, -Mdlle Lenglen returned to her hotel, and left instructions that she must not be disturbed. The “ Dally Express ” has ini editorial on the matter. It states: “Mdlle Lenglen's unpunctuality was inexcusable. The last thing that the public wants is tho suspension of a defaulting player. It asks only those whom it delights to honour to merit their laurels, not only by skill, but by tho inexpensive virtue of ordinary good manners.” The “Daily Express” goes on to say: “When Mdlle Lenglen left Wimbledon, she looked hysterical, and a portion of tile crowd hissed and booed as her motor-car drove off.” A statement issued on behalf of Suzanne to-night says that she is not seriously indisposed, and she hopes to be fit for the Franco-American doubles to-morrow.

The statement adds that the whole trouble began through a mistake. Suzanne was unaware that she was being billed to-day to play in the singles before she played in the doubles. THE QUEEN ANNOYED. LONDON. June 2.3. Mdlle Lenglen's action came like a bombshell to the great crowd at Wimbledon, and it completely ruined the afternoon’s programme and the public enjoyment, disappointing the Queen, who made a special journey to Wimbledon to see Suzanne play. When Mdlle Lenglen failed to appear, the Committee state they telephoned to her hotel. Mdlle Lenglen replied, refusing to play in the singles before her game in the vital doubles match against America. She then motored to the ground, and entered the Committee room, where she had a stormy scene with the Committee. Borotra and Brugnon, the French players, strove hard to get Suzanne to change her mind, the former kneeling and pleading: “Be reasonable! Do not keep the Queen waiting!” However, she remained adamant, threatening to pack up her hags and leave immediately. Suzanne declared that she had not received notification to play both the singles and doubles.

In the meantime, the crowd was waiting anxiously. Tho officials and later Borotra, approached the Queen with explanations and apologies. The Queen appeared to be annoyed, and she left her box, but she afterwards returned. After a lengthy delay, the other matches were proceded with. Subsequently the Committee posted a notice stating that owing to Mdlle Lenglen’s indisposition, they were uik able to carry out the day’s programme, but they hoped that she would lie well enough In play both of the matches tomorrow. Mdlle Lenglen declares that she fried to telephone the Committee in the morning asking .them to alter the programme as she was feeling unwell; and she had not the slightest idea that she was due to play that day. She hoped to be bettor to-morrow. If not, she was extremely unlikely to play, because she was afraid the Committee would not postpone the match again. The Committee denies having any record of Mdlle Lenglen’s having asked for an alteration in the programme. ' APOLOGY TO THE QUEEN. Mdlle Lenglen conveyed to the Queen her personal regrets owing to her inability to play to-day. LONDON, June 23. At Wimbledon tennis tourney, in the third round of the men’s singles, Corbet- heat Barnard 6-1, 6-3, 6-2; Austin heat Vanalonop 5-0, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1: Lycett beat Aitken, 6-3, 6-1, 7-5; Lester beat Gordon Lowe, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3; Kinsey heat Flaquer, 6-2, 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1. In the second men’s round, Nigel Sharp heat Lord Cholmondeley 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. 6-3; Borotra beat A. H. Fyzee 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 64. In the first round of the men’s doubles, Commander Carr and E. Jones beat Sunnier and Fletcher 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. In the second round of the women's singles, Airs Mallory beat Mrs Edgeton 6-3, 6-1 ; Miss Bowman beat Lady Crossfield 3-6. 6-3, 7-5. LONDON. Juno 23. At Wimbledon in tho second round of the women’s singles, Miss Joan Fry heat Miss Bennett 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. Mrs Watson heat Miss Betty Nuthall 6-3, 6-0. In the third round of tike men’s singles, Greig heat Turnbull 6-4. 3-6, 6-2, 6-0.