and background; and when one has got used to the different bound of the ball and the rather trying glare of the sun, one could not wish for better conditions for good tennis.  Many a famous match has been fought out on these courts; and situated as they are in the beautiful grounds of the Hotel Beau Site, where most of the players stay, the environment is ideal.  I was only able to play in the Monte Carlo tournament, after a few days’ practice on the Beau Site courts, for it was just at the start of the Nice tournament that the accident to my wrist occurred.  It was very disappointing to default after coming so far to take part in these tournaments.  Several months elapsed before I could use my wrist again, and I was not able to play in any of the tournaments before I defended my title at Wimbledon.

[Illustration:  THE CHALLENGE ROUND AT WIMBLEDON, 1905:  MISS SUTTON (AMERICA) v.  MISS D.K.  DOUGLASS]

This year Miss May Sutton, the American lady champion, paid her first visit to England, and carried all before her, winning the championship of England and many other events, all without the loss of a single set—­truly a wonderful performance.  If any one had pluck it was Miss Sutton.  To come to a strange country, practically friendless (Miss Sutton made many friends over here, but she came over alone), and to play and defeat one after another of the best players in this country, was a feat which filled us all with unbounded admiration.

[Illustration:  MOTOR CARS WAITING OUTSIDE THE ALL-ENGLAND GROUND AT WIMBLEDON DURING THE LADIES CHALLENGE ROUND, 1906]

I have played Miss Sutton five times, losing three and winning two of the matches.  Of the three matches I lost, two were at Wimbledon, in the challenge rounds of 1905 and 1907, and the third at Beckenham in the challenge round of 1907.  My two victories were both gained in 1906, in the challenge rounds at Liverpool and Wimbledon.  Certainly the most exciting match I have ever played, and the one that gave me the most pleasure to win, was my match at Wimbledon against Miss Sutton in 1906.  The match itself was not exactly enjoyable—­the strain was too great; so much seemed to depend upon me, both for my own reputation, and that of my country.  When Mr. Palmer, secretary of the All England Club, escorted us into the centre court and left us, with a word of encouragement in my ear, I felt helpless and destitute.  You cannot realize what it means to face four thousand people and know that so much depends on your own exertions and coolness.  Miss Sutton, I think, must have felt this loneliness in a still greater degree, for she was away from her country, her own people and friends.  I have never had such a craving to speak to some one as I had in this match—­just one friendly word to tell me whether I was playing the right sort of game or not.  I confess my feelings were very strung up.