LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1265, 21 October 1911, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS.

i PLEA FOR BETTER PRACTICE. [Br "Footfault."] And How to Get It. Glance again at tho theme of practico which was begun in last week's notes. Our average players are not up to the standard of other moro alert and fastermoving countries. The brilliant specialism of the world's best players has brought along what mnv truly be termed strenuous tennis, and it is for us to catch up, if wo can. If ono scans tho record 1 of any of the past or present champions, we can track their supremacy down to thoso old and homely factors—iitness for effort, and keenness on tho game. And, to get tile litness, many of them have been active participators in some other branch of sport. The moral is a hard tiling to eay, but said, it must bo, and here it is: flayers who desire championship honours should bo all-round athletes. In order that tho game bo brought still more into line with other rigorous sports, bright, clean, hard tennis is needed. To attain this, good, hard practice is absolutely essential, but, handicapped as players are in Wellington in this respect, the trouble is not insuperable, for a fairish court and a good vis-a-vis cnu always be had. And then tho theory of tho game. Few seem to suspect how much can ho got out of good books on the subject., Just try it and see. Everyone will, no doubt, admit that there is a somewhat serious lack of good players to take tho place of those already on top, and there is only one player, Ollivier, of Cliristchurch, outsido Wellington who is equal to our best three players here. Ollivier has shown, by constant practice, an excellent improvement, and an example that may bo prolitably followed by other players. Considering that tho standard of play some ten years ago (when Fisher and Peacock were holders of fho championship doubles, and Peacock the championship singles, and when only a limited number • of players took part' in the game), is quite equal to that of the present day, when again these individual players hold highest honours, and when tho number of plavors has increased by thousands, it is qui to evident that tho standard should be raised. How to achieve this is an important matter. Thoso Americans. All being well, next Saturday should 6ee tho commencement of the niter-club competitions. "American Lawn Tennis' states that tho American Davis Cup team would be mode up of the five best men in America, who would como ; out a month before, practise hard, nom- ; iuato their best four, and take tho cup ; back with tliem. _ i The best five wore indicated as W. A. Lamed, Bcols, Wright, Btindy, Long, and j M'Lonshlin; but many causes narrowed down this optimistic forecast, till the last ; "American Lawn Tennis" of August 15 says only Larncd and M'l.oughlin were loi't available. That was good enough, for tliey are tho two best single players in America, and , in doubles are close to the be.=t; but other \ players have come forward afresh, and ( for the first: time; and of 111? first live a.s , stated Bmidv has clearly failed to reach j his last year's form, when lie challenged | Lnirned iii singles, and ran hi into n five-set match, and, with a weak partner, challenged Alexander and ITackftt.. Long also, fnve for one success at the beginning of the season, lias failed to ■ reach his former high place. ( The names newer to us to be considered ( aro Little and Tmieluird. 'Che former, ( by his old record (including a five-set c match with H. L. Bc-hcrty) and his new performances in .''ingles and doubles, i •NiTiicd a place in America's team against ) England; and Toucliard, with him", has twice beaten Bmuly and M'Loughlin, ami then, lo crown all, have won tho American Championship, defeating the (cam for four years unbeatable—Alexander a.:id r llaekelt. " c Larned's dropping out. as cabled recent- , ly, evidently means that their repre-ento- ' fives will be M'Loughlin, Bcals Wright, ; and T'ouchard. ,