Despite incredible hoopla about the current World Football championship, tennis still has its devoted fans.

         Today I was lucky enough to catch the final points in a tennis duel that lasted in extended play over three days for eleven hours.  It was the longest, most amazing match in tennis history.  The eventual winner, an American giant of 6’9”, John Isner, finally ousted Nicholas Mahut of France in the fifth set. The smaller man looked much more fit at the end and seemed the likelier winner, but Isner must have prevailed through sheer will power and served out a victory at 70-68.  In a special ceremony at the end both men and the umpire were awarded prizes for their extraordinary endurance. More than any other sport, tennis combines athleticism, intellect and just plain courage. All great athletes share one trait in common: strength of character. Nobody reaches the championship level without spending hours and days and years of practice. Their families too, must be steadfast in their support—and often at great sacrifice.

         Many years ago while I was attending a boys’ tournament at Forest Hills, one tall young boy stood out from the rest. He was the only black player in the group, the most graceful and the best mannered. He did not win that tournament. Perhaps he was less aggressive than some of the others. Perhaps he called the points more honestly. Some of the boys (and their clipboard-bearing mothers) made some rather iffy calls in their zeal to win. Young Arthur Ashe should have won that day. He was the best, by far.

         Several members of the Ashe family had journeyed from the South and I enjoyed speaking with Arthur’s father. He, too, was aware of the dubious behavior on some of the courts, but kept a dignified silence. He was a gentleman.

         Over the years Arthur Ashe became a role model for young and old players, black and white. His skills as a player were equaled by his sportsmanship and court manners. Had he lived longer we would have seen many more blacks on the tennis courts.

         The William sisters, Serena and Venus, are the black role models of today, though their recent tennis costumes raised some eyebrows.  To everyone’s surprise, the French Open had no Williams sister in the final, but in the past decade Venus and Serena, have set high standards for other young players to follow.

         Tennis has become a true international sport. Today the Russians, Serbians and Spanish dominate the game.  With the exception of the Williams sisters, the roster of American players, men and women, is growing more and more meager.  Is it that tennis in this country is still considered a “country club” sport?  In other nations their governments encourage talented youngsters, be it in the arts or in athletics.

         Public tennis courts are available throughout Europe and are not   outrageously expensive to build and maintain.  How about giving our children a chance?