TENNIS TOPICS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 98, 6 February 1936, Page 3

TENNIS TOPICS

THE AMATEUR GAME.

DEPENDENCE ON ONE PLAYER.

(By “Forehand”).

Henri Cochet believes that the amateur tennis world is over-tennised. This, lie says, results in a natural slackness, something of a lack of independence in the individual, particularly the champion, and a loss of incentive to make the sacrifices the game demands. National associations become national hosts, under the present routine, and the result is that the amateur player feels it an obligation to go here and there at their dictates. This lack of independence wearies him. “When we were young players in France,” said Cochet, “we saw our ambition sketched ahead of us in the overthrow of the mighty United States team. At first it w’as nothing but a dream. Then as Lacoste, Borotra, B-rug-non and myself gradually forced our way to the front we achieved our object.”

The Outstanding Player. Cochet said that the leading tennis nations always suffered in the end through the possession of an outstanding world player. “Let Perry fail,” he said, “alid Britain will topple like a rock. There is no one ready to take his place.” “When the French were dominating the tennis position many times we older men would have liked to feel the support of vigorous younger players. But they did not come along, and today the older men in Brugnon and Borotra are still in active service. The day came when our best was not good enough, and we lost the cup to Britain.”

“Now here is, where the professional can play his part. He is independent of the social side of tennis. Under no obligations, lie wanders on giving an exhibition or'doing a little coaching. Who knows but he will find the material so vital to the maintenance of a nation in the forefront of the game.

Perry on the Smash. “The smash is the thriller of the game,” says Fred Perry. “I have been told by a Wimbledon authority that one of Wimbledon’s greatest thrills

came the year Gerald Paterson smashed his way to the world’s championship. But the smash also delights the smasher, and there is no greater thrill to me than burying a deep lob.” Many tennis experts have said that

when smashing at least one foot must remain on the ground. Tilden is one to expound this doctrine but Perry strongly disagrees, lor lie says he has learned that the best overhead work, can be obtained at the shmniit of a jump. Height in smashing counts lor much, and in jumping for the ball one gains anything from a few incites to 2ft. Perry claims that he maintains his balance better when ho takes the ball

in the air, and Quist holds the same ideas. Henri Cochet, Gerald Patterson and Ellsworth Vines all jumped for the smash. The similarity of Quist’s service and smash is striking, and with few exceptions the smash is made with the same grip as the service. Faulty Balance.

Most mistakes in smashing are due to faulty balance, which causes mistiming. Too often the shot is made with the weight of the body forward on the front foot throughout, and when the ball is hit there is .a sudden lurch forward that tends to poor timing.

Perry’s advice to all players is that they must practice solidly to be able to smash well. Throughout a. match one seldom gets more than a dozen halls to smash. That is not enough to give one confidence to smash for the lines. “When training for the Wimbledon championships, I usually have twenty minutes, about twice a week, with the leading British professional, Dan ked, on smashing practice alone,” said Perry. “He alternates drives with lobs to keep me guessing, and I find this is the only way to keep ‘smashing fit, for so much depends on fast footwork to get under the ball and to be able to jump into the air with the weight of tho body balanced back ready to be swung into the smash. Women For South Africa.

It is unfortunate that Miss Kathleen Stammers, who is ranked No. 1 with Miss Dorothy Hound among English women lawn tennis players, and would not, 1 think, be lower than third in a world’s list, is unable to go with tho team to South Africa. But Miss Peggy Seri von is an excellent substitute, and the team will be .a strong one in also comprising Miss Mary Hardwick, Miss Nancy Lyle, Miss Evelyn Dcarman and Miss Praia James. Surprise was created by the omission of Miss Billie York. It is understood that she would have been willing to make the trip, and she has no equal as a doubles player. On her return from America, Miss Stammers declared that she would not play lawn tennis until next year. She felt that she required a complete rest from the game. The unhappy experience of Miss Round, who broke down utterly before Wimbledon last June has warned all her 'rivals of the dangei of playing too much. But Miss Stammers has entered into other games with all her usual enthusiasm especially lacrosse. Now she has begun to learn golf under Abe Mitchell who, although she is a natural left-hander, lias persuaded her not to “stand the wrong way round.” With her fine sense of rhythm and timing Miss Stammers shows marked ability in hitting a stationary ball. During the next two or three months however, she will have to curtail her outdoor activities. She has arranged to take the place of Mrs Fearnley-Whit-tingstall in a West End dress shop.