Lawn Tennis.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 9, 10 July 1909, Page 14

Lawn Tennis.

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Local tennis players have not had much chance of late to irrchilge in practice, but whenever the asphalte courts havo shown tho least sign of drying players have arrived in cumbers, all eager for a hit up. Last Saturday caw quite a number out, and all appeared to enjoy continuous sets in the s=harp bracing air. So far, no ono has ventured upon the covered court for Now Zealand, but it will appear in timu, as it ha 3 done in other part* of the world. It is simply a case ot £ s d —si real up-to-date court costing something like £3000. Tho thirty-third All-England Championship Singles has been decided, and tho holder, A. W. Goro, has triumphed over M. J. G. Ritchie in the challenge round. Ritchie, by winning the all-comers' singles, qualified to meet Gore to decide who should bo tho champion. The challenger of course, as per usual, had all the wear and tear of working his way through tho all-comers' event, whilst Gore, the champion, rested and waited for his opponent. Gore is a firm believer in tho champion standing out and only playing in the challenge round. Tho writer would not for ono moment even suggest that Gore holds to those viows simply to secure an advantage, whioh tho holder undoubtedly does, but Gore plainly says that the champion J should not bo asked to play through, possibly because it has been a course followed for years; and, again, maybe because he thinks that whosover meets the champion should firstly prove that he is, by winning the all-comers' event, a fit, proper, and worthy opponent for tho champion to measure his skill and strength against. In tho writer's opinion that is wrong, for the champion should bo one who will say, "Come one, come all!" and ho Bhould be prepared to play under exactly the same conditions and arrangements as any of tho other aspiring champions. Big attempts have been made in England from time to time to break down the old conservative idea, but the AllEngland Club holds out. against it. The New Zealand association has lately had tho matter before tho English association, but it would appear that the All-England club holds too many "guns" for tho association. Ritchie, by his win iv the allcomers' event, takes tho valuable Renshaw Cup; and although this is his first win in this event, he has for several years been most prominent —in fact, was run-ner-up to H. L. Doherty in 1902, and to F. L. Riseley in 1903 and 1904. Major J. G. Ritchie (the major is not a military title) was born in 1870, and learnt his tennis at Home, in the grounds of Tho Cedars, Putney, between, the ages of 10 and 14. It was not until he was 23 years of age that ho took tennis seriously; in fact, he gave the game up for quite nine years. Ho has played consistently since 1399, and has probably won more honours on tho Continent and in the British Isles than any other player. In 1908 he represented British Isles against America in the Davis Cup contest, and defeated Beals C. Wright, tho American, who put the champion Brookes out last year in tho Davis Cup contest held in Melbourne. Ritchie is very fond of touring, and is an ardent motorist. Arthur Wentworth Gore, tho champion, was born in 1868, on the second day of tho year. Ho learnt his tennis on the sands at Dinard in 1878. His record is a brilliant one. In 1801 he won the championship, defeating the -holder It. I' l. Doherty ; won again in 1908; and this last victory makes him champion for the third time. Ho won tho all-comers' singles in 1899, 1901, and 1908, and was runner-up in that event in 1900, 1906, and 1907. Represented British Isles in Davis Cup contests in 1900 and 1907. Ho also won gold Olympio medals for the Bingles and doubles at tho covered court championpionships at "Queen's 1" in 1908. Tho champion is a player who wins his matches by sheer pluck in many cases, and "two sets down" has no horrors for him; as when to all appearances clean dono and practically beaten ho will in a most marvellous manner spring into renewed life and carry all before him. Ono can picture the last contest betweon Gore and Ritchie. Tho champion is a base-line player, whereas Ritchie can rush the net when he likes to. ilie fir bt set was a neck and neck tussle, until 5 all was called, then 6 all, Ritchie seemingly with an effort taking set at 8—6.8 —6. Now what happened in the second set for Ritchie to win at 6—l? Gore, more than likely was determined to run his man to death, and surely kept him on tho run from corner to corner. He would not bo anxioiiß to gallop much himself, but no doubt had some method in losing tho set at 6—l. Then, although Ritchie had two sets in, the champion started to wipo off his lead, and took-the three remaining sets all at tho same score 6—2.6 —2. His win seems a remarkable ono. Ritchie, with two sets in, had scored 14 games to 7, vet Gore, when even with him at two sets all, had 19 games to his credit against 18, and ended tho match with 25 games to 20. HINTS ON TRAINING. " If a player intends to attend a tournament with the idea of trying to win a championship, then preparation is necessary, and the preparation should bo started some months before the date of the tournament. Thero is no use putting it off and saying, "I will start next week"— next week generally proves to be about one week before tho meeting starts. The writer does not believe in special dieting There is nothing better than plain good food; digestible food, and not too much meat, u> what the healthy man or woman wants The first thing to be done is to get tho body gradually fit, starting only when you feel in good health. A sharp walk of a few miles, breaking every now and again into a hard sprint of 50 yards soon hardens a man up. The lady player should also take plenty of walking exercise, and can also sharpen up with skipping exorcise ; but remomber—do not overdo it. A man who wishes to win championships should have a trainer, and should bo guided by him. Early to bed and early to rise must bo enforced, and regular habits are essential. Good hard games about three times' a week should be enough—that is, if the player can get the full five sets. Ono thing all should be careful of, and that is never continue to play when feeling slack or tired. General fitness should bo tho object in view, and if a player- expects his wind to last ho should be careful about smoking—in fact should give it, up. A player asks if he must give up all late hours when in training? Well, what is tne use of training at all if all the benefit gained is to be thrown away by a i_-to night or two every now and then? If you intend to train you must train with method and system; there is no use trying to do it for a week and then take a cay- or two off. If you cannot havo some determination and forego tho pleasures, then you will just have to tak« pot luck as far as championship honours are concprned Usually the player who cannot settle down to useful training and prepare himself in surh a manner that he is fit and well on the day of the contest, is not over-eager to excel, and is jun lacking in that rhtermination that brings the champion 1o the front against possibly players more brilliant, but not possessed of tho quality that stands to a player trhon the pinch comes —determination to excel.