TENNIS INCIDENTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 December 1939, Page 9

TENNIS INCIDENTS

WHICH MADE HISTORY. I AN ARROGANT CHAMPION. It is probable trn.t the versatility which has been the hallmark of Helen Wills Moody's career has had much to do with her phenomenal tennis success. Suzanne Lenglen was the greatest woman lawn tennis player the world has known. Helen Wills Moody was just a shade below her in greatness. Each possessed qualities the other lacked. Suzanne had the rare gift of showmanship which the American never has had. The latter had more courage, and did not fear defeat as the Frenchwoman did. Both have been involved in "incidents” which made tennis history, and about which the arguments are interminable. Suzanne forfeited to Molla Mallory in America rather than be beaten, and provoked the criticism of the world for bad sportsmanship. Helen Wills Moody defaulted to Helen Hull Jacobs in 1933 in New York, not because she feared defeat, nor wished to deprive her opponent of victory, but made her decision in a moment of panic due to intense pain from an injured spine. This injury kept her out of tennis for two years, but she proved her courage beyond question when she won the Wimbledon title in 1935. after having match-point against her. a "battle of the Helens" that will always be a tennis legend. The world champion is not a popular personality. She is aloof in bearing—an aloofness that is often arrogant. and she has never made close friends with any of the tennis players of (he world. When she has played she has always been "the champion." and an unapproachable one. for she has never sought popular acclaim. To date Helen Wills Moody has enjoyed a career of magnificent achievement. success has attended her every effort. and the tennis world awaits her next move with interest. Speculation lias always abounded about this famous person, but she has the facility for keeping her own counsel, and it is remarkable that in all the controversy about "the two Helens," neither player has been known io make derogatory remarks about the other. The question is, will this wonderful player go out in search of new laurels as Mrs Roark so as to keep pace with the fame of her polo-playing husband?