LAWN TENNIS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3668, 21 July 1927, Page 4

LAWN TENNIS

OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

PREDICTED BY DOUST

LONDON, July 6,

“Does professionalism harm tennis?” asks Mr S. N. Donst in the Daily. Mail He explains that coaches are most useful and necessary for the progress of tire game, but the Lenglen type of professionalism is purely moneymaking, benefiting only the promoter of the troupe. “It will,” he says, “never improve the game and never thrill the public. Nevertheless, the probability of an open championship was freely discussed at Wimbledon. It would undoubtedly offer coaches an opportunity of improving their play which at present is lacking, and also find the world’s best player. I should not be surprised to see an open championship within a few years.” Mdlle. Lenglen, interviewed, said: “A professional’s life is most pleasant and would appeal to any enthusiast. I would welcome an open championship.” SUZANNE’S FREEDOM. “I was killing myself. An amateur’s is a crazy life, but now I am as free as air,” Mdlle. Lenglen told a representative of the Evening News to-day. “I am now without nerves,” she went on. “Formerly, the telephone was ringing all the time and people were crowding around, even when I was ill. It seemed as though I had no right to be ill.” Mile. Lenglen added that a woman tennis player was at her zenith at 30, whereupon the interviewer asked: “I take it, then, that you wilt retire at that age —about 1930?” The star smilingly replied: “About then.”