Personalities are the deciding force in
popularity. Patriotism is partially submerged in personality.
The Davis Cup matches bring out the gamest struggles in the
history of tennis. It is in these unique series of matches that
the fame of Anthony F. Wilding, Norman E. Brookes, J. C. Parke,
B. C. Wright, M. E. M'Loughlin, and others reached its crest. It
was the unselfish giving of one's best, under all conditions, for
the honour of the country that called out the finest tennis in
each man. Parke reached his crest in his memorable defeat of
Brookes. M'Loughlin has never quite equalled his marvellous game
of 1914 against Brookes and Wilding.
It is the psychology of patriotism that brings out this tennis.
Personality is submerged. Unity of purpose as a team, replaces
the object of personal glory that is the keynote of championship.
It is the friendly rivalry of sport, between such men as form the
backbone of tennis in each country, that does more for
international understanding than all the notes ever written from
the White House.
I could go on writing tennis psychology as explained by external
conditions for hundreds of pages, but all I want to do is to
bring to mind a definite idea of the value of the mind in the
game. Stimulate it how you will, a successful tennis player must
admit the value of quick mind. Do it by a desire for personal
glory, or team success, or by a love of competition in matching
your wits against the other man's, but do it some way.
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