The Science of Lawn Tennis.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XXIV, Issue 4122, 12 November 1919, Page 3

The Science of Lawn Tennis.

HINTS FROM AN EXPERT

The difference between Australian and English tennis is the difference between offence and defence, is the summary that an expert makes after seeing the matches at Wimbledon, this year. Another (Prebble, the doubles player), writing in the "Mail," arrives at the conclusion that few players pay any deliberate attention to the basic principles of the game. If they succeed, it is by sheer labour in practising until they learn to make strokes without knowing how or why. He thinks that if players studied a few simple points they would progress more quickly and save themselves many hours of patient practice. He offers the following hints: "Keep your eye on the ball all the time it is in play. "Bo not 'tap' at the ball, but follow through the stroke with your racquet. "Never retreat when hitting the ball} rather advance to meet it. "If compelled to run backwards for a lob, do not attempt to 'kill' unless you can stop and wait for the ball. "Foot-work is most important. For instance, in the case of a right-handed player the forehand drive must be played with the left foot well in front. A backhand stroke should be played with the right foot forward. The same rules apply to taking a ball when on thte run. Thus, the ball sliould be hit when the weight is on the left foot for a forehand stroke and on the right foot for a backhand stroke. "Always remember that it is fairly easy to hit a ball back in the direction whence it comes, but much more difficult to make an angle yourself. Do not forget, however, that the game does not start unless you hit the ball over the net. "The most important stroke to cultivate is, I think, the return of the service, and it is a very sound rule always to aim to return the service to the feet of the server. "Endeavour to force your opponent tc play your game—do not let him make you play his. In other words, attack if possible—do not be content to defend only. Find out your opponent's weakness, and, having done so, try to make him retrn the ball to give scope for your best shot. . "First learn to return the ball over the net, but do not be content with this. See that it goes to that spot on the court most difficult for your opponent to make a good return from. '' Every shot cannot be a winner, of

course, but you are the only person who kiiows whether it can be. If you fail, think out the stroke, so that your next return will finish the rally."