Sport: France v. U. S.

If William T. Tilden and Francis T. Hunter are a representative U. S. tennis team, then the U. S. was defeated by France in a five-match series at St. Cloud, France, last week. Tilden seemed to have regained his ancient power. He won both of his singles matches, humbling Rene Lacoste and high-bounding Jean Borotra in straight sets. Borotra laughed off his defeat with: “I lost to a superior player, but I was out until four in the morning welcoming Lindbergh. It was worth it.”

Hunter lost two matches.

After Tilden and Hunter had been defeated in the decisive doubles match by Borotra and Brugnon, Tilden remarked with an effort at gallantry: “Don’t blame the junior member of our team. . . . The junior member of the American team played great tennis.”

Whereupon, a spectator was heard to say: “The conceit of that man [Tilden], referring to Hunter as the junior member of that team!”

Tilden, on hearing of this remark, defended himself: “I knew someone would fall for that. If I refer to Hunter as the junior member of our team, it is because he is a few months younger than I and not because I am ranking myself above him.”