TILDEN, STORMY PETREL

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 429, 10 August 1928, Page 9

TILDEN, STORMY PETREL

TENNIS HEADS WORRIED STATUS PROBLEM AGAIN IMPORTANT DECISION SOON (United. P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z Press Association) NEW YORK, Wednesday. The return to New York of the defeated American Davis Cup team to-day brought under active attention two facts. These are, that an important decision must shortly b© reached about Tilden’s position, and that something in the nature of a revolution in American tennis is impending. The executive members of the United States Lawn Tennis Association will give their decision on Tilden’s amateur standing on August 24. It is surmised that he will be declared a professional, in spite of the fact that it is understood Tilden’s defence will be that he in no way violated the playerwriter rule by “covering” the Wimbledon tournament in a news sense, but actually only commented on it. GREAT DRAWING CARD

The position is complicated by the fact that Tilden is still the greatest drawing card with the public, and his disqualification would seriously minimise popular interest in the forthcoming national singles and doubles. The gate receipts in American tennis have unquestionably assumed such a vast importance that they frankly overshadow the ostensible amateur character of this sport. The New York, Philadelphia and Boston clubs have erected monster plants at great cost, and these institutions face financial peril from anything that will reduce the number of spectators at important matches. A WORRYING BUSINESS

It is learned on excellent authority that important tennis interests are so worried about the situation, including the probability that Tilden —always the stormy petrel of American tennis —may be disqualified, so that it is being seriously considered, if the latter is declared a professional, to permit the use of the west side stadium and other important stadia, for the open championships. Also if possible to arrange a series of matches between professionals and amateurs immediately after the national singles on September 15, in order to recoup their financial losses. It is understood that Vincent Richards has been consulted, and it is believed he would be ready, if Tilden would join him, to bring over certain well-known European professionals for these matches.

However, Tilden stated to-day th;a,t he would not play professional tennis even if he were declared a professional. Open championships would undoubtedly completely change the character of American tennis with consequences that could not be foreseen.