England has led, and still leads, the world in women's tennis.
The general standard of play is on a higher scale and there is
more tournament play in England than elsewhere. France, with
Mlle. Suzanne Lenglen, Mme. Billout (Mlle. Brocadies) and Mme.
Golding, forces England closely for European supremacy, but until
recent years America, except for individuals, has been unable to
reach the standard of women's tennis found abroad.
Miss May Sutton, now Mrs. Thomas H. Bundy, placed American
colours in the field by her wonderful performances in winning the
World's Championship at Wimbledon more than a decade ago, but
after her retirement America was forced to content itself with
local honors.
Neither Miss Mary Browne nor Miss Hazel Hotchkiss, now Mrs.
George Wightman, followed Mrs. May Sutton Bundy in her European
invasion, so the relative ability of our champions and Mrs.
Lambert-Chambers of England or Mlle. Brocadies of France could
not be judged. Mrs. Molla Bjurstedt Mallory followed Miss Browne
as the outstanding figure in American tennis when the wonderful
Norsewoman took the championship in 1915. Miss Browne, then
holder of the title, did not compete, so their relative ability
could not be decided. Throughout the period from 1900 to 1919 the
woman's championship event had been held annually in June. The
result was that the blue ribbon event was over so early in the
season that the incentive for play during July and August died a
natural death.
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