LAWN TENNIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 259, 1 November 1928, Page 14

LAWN TENNIS.

TARDY CLUB OPENINGS. ENGLISH TEAM'S VISIT.

(By HALF-VOL' !LY.)

Saturday's fine weather, following on a wet week, gave grounds committees a problem to solve. Remuera and Onehunga. among the larger clubs, were courageous enough to hold their opening ceremonies and allow play on their courts after the openings were concluded. Parnell, Eden and Epsom, and Auckland, and also the association's courts at Stanley Street, remain closed till weather conditions admit of play; probably all these courts will be open by Wednesday, given fine weather meanwhile.

A large gathering was present at Onchunga, where Mr. Malcolm Robb, the president, opened the courts for the reason. Messrs. G. L. Taylor, F. J. Ohlson, and E. Hickson also spoke. The courts appeared to be in first-class order, and players enjoyed a good afternoon's tennis. At Remuera Mr. E. W. Griffiths presided at the opening ceremony, and a progressive tournament was afterwards held, Miss Suter and N. W. Bowden the winners. The courts were excelledf, and did not appear much the worse for the afternoon's play. Devonport also held their opening, a progressive tournament being held. The winners were Miss Stronach and M. Alison. The English Test Match. The Xew Zealand versus England match at Stanley Street will prevent much club tennis being played next Saturday as most enthusiasts will naturally go to watch the visitors playing against New

Zealand. It is to be hoped that the weather will be fine for the fixture; Christchurch was most unlucky in having flooded courts and wet weather, and had to crowd the whole of the South Island match into one day (Monday). From the limited news at present to hand, the southerners had two good wins in Ollivier's win over Gregory and Glanville's well-deserved victory over Higgs. Austin appears to be playing an excellent game, and will be a great draw here. A volleyer is always popular with the crowd, and Austin's spectacular net play will probably make him the favourite of the team as far as the public is concerned. His defeat of Ollivier in straight sets will make the encounter of the same two players in Auckland the more interesting. It is pleasing to learn that Ollivier has struck good form, the account of his singles match against Gregory being' most satsifactory from our point of view, though his defeat by Austin leaves something to be desired in the matter of consistency. Bartleet has not been able to obtain much practice, but past experience against visiting players in October has shown that he frequently comes to light in a most satisfactory manner, even when he has had little opportunity to get into form.

Singles Tactics. Following last week's notes, I will add a paragraph addressed especially to beginners at the game. My subject this week is "Singles Tactics." It cannot be too frequently stated that length is the essence of a good singles game. While sharp short angle shots win in doubles, it is length that makes the openings in singles. The service should be varied as to direction, but should be of consistent length, not falling short near the net. The drive should always aim at travelling the full length of'the court, except when it is desired to "finish" an opening, when a short or angle shot may, of course, be best.

The position of the player on the court in singles is most important. It has been said that there are only two possible positions—about 6ft behind the centre of the base-line and about the same distance behind the centre of the net. As soon as a shot has been played the player should immediately

try to reach one of these positions before the return can be played. Which of the positions to take up is partly a question of general strategy and partly a matter which must be decided on the spot. If it is desired to "take the net" a preliminary opening must be made enabling the player to advance to the net position. The best opening shot for this purpose is a deep drive to the centre of the base line. Playing such a drive, the player should run quickly in to within two or three yards of the net, timing his advance so as to have stopped, the weight resting evenly on both feet, by the time the return shot is played. A brief consideration of the angles of the court will show that this is the best possible net position. Some player? prefer to base a net advance on a deep drive to the backhand corner. These tactics may prevail against a player with a weak backhand, but are useless against an experienced player possessing a useful backhand stroke.

For those that do not volley well enough to take the net in singles, my advice is to drive hard the full length of the court, and to learn to go for the sidelines when an opportunity offers. Attack is the best form of defence, and, while it must be remembered that it is impossible to hit aces off every shot, still beginners must learn to paste the loose shots as they come. To sum up, these are the points to be remembered. In singles go for length all the time, whether in service or in drives. Watch your position on the court carefully, for more matches are lost on bad position than any other way. Either drive deep to the centre or backhand, and then volley from close to the net, or drive for the sidelines, standing well back. Never get caught between the baseline and the service line. (Next week: "Doubles Play.")