LAWN TENNIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 78, 1 April 1922, Page 18

LAWN TENNIS.

Reviewing the players al the Remuera Club it can be .-aid that the ladies are particularly strong, and it is doubtful if any club in the Dominion can produce such a team as Misses Macfarlane, -Muriel l'ayton, Kerr-Taylor. MeCormick, and Mrs. Marshall. However, while recognising their present strength it would appear that they have little opportunity of improving their play to any degree by playing among themselves so much, and they could considerably strengthen their game by arranging to play doubles against two men of good strength, and it would assist them in learning to mix their game more than is customary. For instance, ladies serve from the same spot into the outside corners of the service courts, but why should they not cultivate more the centre line theory and force the play into the centre of the playing area, thus giving their net patrons more chance to intercept the returns; variety in play and more hc.idwork is required, with judgment in coming in for volley work to finish off some of the very tiresome ibaek-liiie rallies that are so prominent in ladies' doubles. In a combined doubles event, with a strong partner, a lady can prove most serviceable well behind tho back line, keeping the ball away from the man in the opposite court and playinir more for safety than attempting winning strokes, leaving settlement of th > rally in due course to her roaming partner at the net. This plan of course should be varied when a lady is good at the net and when circumstances suggest a change in the tactic^. Miss Ken. Taylor has much improved, and is more furceful this season, and probably is the best combined player in Auckland, due lo her steadiness, lobbing abilities and variety of play. both Misses Macfarlane and l'ayton could improve their play by practising the volley more and by variation in tho service; tbe absence of judicious lobbing is a weak spot in the game of botli these ladies. The value of crisp volleying shots was clearly instanced in the play of Mrs. Scott-Watson in the Auckland championships, a shot to which her success could be mainly attributed. Of other Remuera ladies, mention might be-made of Misses Pagni, "Sloman, Nioakes, Marion Macfarlane aud Mrs. Tonks, all of whom have shown up quite well during the season's play, and many of whom by dint of practice and concentration could develop into players beyond the average; the honours for greatest improvement, however lie with Misses l'agni and Sloman. Miss MacCormick has probably the strongest service of the ladies. For keenness of play and for realty hard trying, a good lesson might be taken from Mrs. Goldsmith. Briefly summarising ihe men Is a somewhat difficult task, as beyond the lirst. dozen players the standard is very much of a sameness, and as far as cau be seen now there are no outstanding lights among the younger players. Robson has probably been seen at his best this year, but be is inclined to too frequently use the chop drive when a straight forceful forehand stroke would be more effective, and the deduction is that this is due lo faulty footwork in not keeping the ball at a proper distance to give his natural forehand its fair scope. Brinsdeu is tho most promising of this year's players; with good all round stroke* he has the makings of a champion, but not until be devotes more time to hand practice and takes a. keener and more serious interest to

improve will this be achieved. J. A. Ewen has played some excellent tennis this season, and is now much less erratic than formerly: his chief asset is a fine deep cross-court drive. Moir has style, but seems to make little headway, ncir can he hope to do so till he endeavours to cultivate a tennis temperament, his most difficult opponent at the moment being himself. Olesen latterly has not been up to the standard of his early season predictions. Duncan is possessed of some line backhand strokes, and should unquestionably improve if he chose to devote some time to hard practice. G. Martin is one of the few oC the medium players who is showing a marked improvement. Good medium players are to be found in plenty at the Remuejra courts—a score of" these ca"n lie counted from memory—and one and all seem to remain much the same in standard of play, due doubtless to lack of practice, lack of interest, or seriousness to improve. It is a good idea to arrange, when playing practice matches, to play consistently fo each other's weak points, and not so much to try and beat each other, as so many do—that is of course if the players have any desire to improve, in which case a little seriousness, without making the game a task, will go a long way towards speedy fmprovement. Iv watching ihe young players it is surprising to note the number of strokes that find their way into the net. and to them 1 should say "Hit out for the back line."' To drive' the balls out of court is a much better fault than driving them into the net, and young players will find that shots they may think are going out often fall within the line. Another hint to young players, and especially ladle l in doubles, ig to stand well behind thi back line; it is an easy matter to met and time a stroke, but impossible to do this if caught hy shots dropping at one's feet or coming up at too short a- distance to get a free return drive. ' ."Keep well away from the ball and h t hard for the back line"' is quite a g'6d maxim for the less experienced yoi.ngcr players, to follow.