LAWN TENNIS

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 86, 9 October 1915, Page 12

LAWN TENNIS

* FOOT-FAULTS. \ (By i'Huka.") Now that the season is well started it is jvell that players should be reminded j of one of their great faults. Nearly every player at some time or other footfaults, and if one contends that it is done without a-ny idea of getting- »n *dvantage, then surely it is deliberate carelessness on the part of the player. The j advantage obtained in many carses is thus secured through carelessness, and that is just as b*d as deliberate intention. Foot-faulting: is not playing the "game," and whilst admitting that it is sometimes done through over-eagerness to get in quick to the net, yet all the same the players who do so ehould be pulled Uf< sharply. Foot-faults were banned at the big meeting- at Longwood, in the United States, and a printed card — a very big one — was posted at vantage points in and about the club house, reading as follows: "To the Players, — You are earnestly requested to observe the foot-fault rule. A foot-fault is an unfair advantage - taken. We realise that no player would intentionally do this, anfl we count upon your careful assistance in carrying out this rule. — Tennis Committee." At the Longwood meeting, Palmer E. Presbrey acted as foot-fault judge in the important matches, and did not have very much to do. He called a few faults on most of the players, including M'Loughlin and WJlliams, but he thought that as a rule the men committed only a small number of faults. NOT PLAYING THE GAME. How far is a player justified in going in an attempt to Tattle an opponent ? The question is ; almost as old as the game, and there will always be some difference of opinion on the point. No better sportsman ever lived than Bea.ls Wright, *nd yet one of his favourite devices wae to st*mp his feet and pretend to go to the net, with his partner, under cover of a lob, while at th« same time staying back. Yet one can scarcely condemn such tactics. Some players have the habit of calling "out" whenever an opponent's shot lands near the line, although it would appear to be quit© a, good ball. Naturally the idea is to influence the umpire, and sometimes this wretched habit succeeds. But the point co gained cannot surely ba worth having to a sportsman. Others demand in certain voice, "How's that ?" and if tbe umpire is easily Tattled he will become doubtful and mildly say "out," only to find afterwards that dozens of spectators declared the ball was a good: six inches inside the line. Then there is the player_ who either rushes wildly up to the net, just as his partner is serving, or when the server is serving to his partner, the idea being to "rattle" /the opponent, and lastly there is the man who gives a yell or outlandish laugh just as you are going to return a. drive. Club committees should speak to such players, as they are not playing- the game. Ladies are not right out of it either, as sometimes four of them will take charge on a court, and they will yell all at the one time, or one after another, Tunning up the scale at that, until other players on courts close handy are completely put off their game. The writer has witnessed such instances in Wellington, but fortunately a quiet tip was given, and now those four players are mutes mostly. JAPAN. The first lawn tennis championship rctoeting of Japan tto6 held recently in Mirume, on the grounds of 'the Kobe Club. Th© entries were few, as the native players of Tokio and Yokohama wanted the meeting held in Tokio, but that was impossible, as the Kobe Club was the only club in Japan affiliated to the Lawn Tennis Association. Roper won the final, beating Home 6-1, 7-5, 9-11, 6-4. Roper and Stevens beat Crane Brothers in the final of the doubles 6-3, 6-3 6-4. The winners _ received silver challenge cups and a silver miniature of the same, the latter being held outright. DEATH OF MR. AYRES. The news "of the death of Mr. F. H. Ayres, of the well-known firm of lawn tennis goods manufacturers, Messrs. F. H. Ayres, Ltd., is just to hand. His death wa-s very sudden, and came as a great shock to the large circle of tennis friends. THE "RED RUSHER" WRITES. Following- the example of several other champions— though as far as the writer knows he can claim the distinction of being the first American champion to do so— M. E. M-loughlin. has written a book. It is_ entitled "Tennis as I Play It," an 3 judging from the critique of it in American Lawn Tennis it is a. very good book indeed. MASTERTON CLUB. The thirty-fourth annual general meeting of the Masterton Club was held on 6th October. The club finished the financial year with a. record balance of £41 odd, aftor repaying debentures amounting to £30 and providing a frame, together with the necessary tarpaulins, for use at •tournaments ai a cost of £14 6s. The club intends holding its annual Wairarapa tournament as usual, and suggests that the whole of the profits be donated to the Wairarapa Wounded Soldiers Fund. Last year's tournament showed a profit of £30 odd, but it is confidently anticipated that the amount to be handed over this year will approximate £50. The club has contributed its quota to the various contingents raised in the Dominion to the number of sixteen — all good and true soldiers. The club thanked Mr. M. E. Denniston, of Wellington, for so ably representing- it as delegate to the Wellington Association. The club is most fortunate in having such an aisle honorary secretary and treasurer in Mr. H. M. Bodding_ton, and owes its present splendid position to his capable management of its affairs. With H.M. still at the helm all will be well for the 1915-16 season. THORNDON CLUB. The Thorndon Tennis Club's annual meeting will be held on Thursday, 14th October, and the season will be opened on the 16th.