On the Courts

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 90, 13 October 1923, Page 16

On the Courts

THE NEW SEASON

OPENING HAMPERED BY WET WEATHER

DEPORTMENT AND ATTIRE ON

THE COURTS.

(By "Htjka.")

Quite a. number of cluba were prevented from holding their official opening of the season last Saturday by the wet day. The Pctone Club decided to carry on, and although there was no play the opening was duly performed, members spending a merry time at afternoon tea. Whilst on the subject of "opening day" the writer has cause to believe that it would be a good idea il the Wellington Association suggested to its clubs that they adopt a fixed date for the opening of the season. Possibly this idea may be followed up with considerable advantage when the association's new grounds are in full working order. In fact, an open combined doubles event might easily be arranged for the opening of the season. But it is decidedly a, good policy for the association to take some active action in regard to the opening of the season. Now that we ara into the new season a few lilies on court deportment may not be amiss. Many people play tennis for the love of it, preferring to lose a real strenuous match than to win in a match that they^ know is a gift before they start. Some, of course, go right out for a win every time, and look for, besides expecting as their just right, the best court, the best matches—in fact, the best of everything. Naturally the latter class of player is not so popular as the former. It is undeniable that deportment on the court is something to which too much importance can scarcely be attached. The manner in which players return balls when not in play can be compared. Some players bang them over to the opponent any old how, absolutely without regard to the latter's convenience, whereas the thoughtful player will return them with care and deliberation, in t*ich a manner that the opponent receives them without moving. What au amount of time is wasted chasing balls and getting ready for play. This can be considerably shortened by returning in such a manner that a minimum of walking or running for them is the result. Xhe keynote to proper deportment on the court is give and take. One should soon learn to know what annoys and inconveniences oneself; therefore try hard not to annoy or inconvenience your partner or your opponent. Above all, be a sport, and be the first to congratulate your opponent when you are beaten. One thing the beaten player can always console himself wi^h, and that is, he has had a good game, or as good as he deserved under the circumstances. Once a beaten player remarked to his opponent as they were leaving the court, "I really thought that I would beat you, for you were playing quite below your usual form, old man." The reply was quick, and cutting. "Well, old thing, you-see there was no necessity tor me to play any better."

DRESSING FOR TENNIS,

The attire of the player is another thing worth attention. Possibly there is no sport or game which makes such weighty demands on the players in the matter of attire as lawn tennis. The game is one which requires of the player the maximum of eltort in the way of athletic, endeavour. No athlete is called upon to put forth greater physical exertion than the lawn tennis player, and few are re q u j re d to make such a sustained effort. The athlete genera ly appears for his contest clad in athletic garb. His garments are.few and simple but with the tennis player it m entirely different. His or her ™Z ? ,conve°tio^l. to a degree, or ought to be. Further, the players are expected to be immaculate Every ?f aTT* 'S suPP°sed to be fresh, as.tf Play °aT direct from the Sundry. % i -tvi- Same -raoxAA ' nor do they &££s£•£?& horrors,, dark trousers, that -unpardonable «„ 3re gli mpEed , even P ITI l promrae!lt and pretentious clubs. There is no economy in putting nondeEcript garment to such -,&., fo? tennis; clothes can be purchased'at reasonable prices, arid if used only for ten-nis-playing will l as t quite a long time. The simpler the garments the better. They should be light both in colour and texture, and cut to fit properly. Cleaning should be resorted to frequently, and pressing at only slightly longer intervals. The feel of clean, well-fitting garments is in itsolf almost sufficient to enable one to play considerably better than is possible in clothes which are not dean, besides being otherwise entirely unsuitable for the game of lawn tennis. THE "LADDER" IN CANTERBURY.

The- Canterbury ranking list, according to "The Suh;" 'will not be ready for another month. This is probably to limit the number', of challenges that would ensue immediately on the opening of the season. It i s stated that A. W. Sims does not wish his name to go on the Canterbury list just yet.- It is mentioned in the report that. it • vail not be difficult to fill' the first three placss. The order being—G. Olliviev, New Zealand chamnion : P. G. Greenwood. Canterbury %.hampion. and D. F. GJanville. ■United Club champion. After that tho !T.okin# eonnnttotcs baa »n uneitmble talk. Eobixißon, q{ fyatah W'jt JJsll.eje,

is spoken of as a considerably improved j player—he was ranked as fortieth last ■ season, but should get into the first ten > this year. . I

IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

"Harry" Rice, notwithstanding that he Was suffering from a sprained ankle, put up a great fight against Keith Poulton in the championship singles at the Strathfield tournament in New South Wales. Poulton took the first set 6-4, and led 5-1 in the second, but Rice changed his game, breaking up Poulton's deep drives by putting over shortlength strokes and slow dropping shotsRice took three games in succession, and led 40-love in the tenth game, bu3fc, strange to say the veteran general, then took to deep driving again, which suited his opponent's game, and the latter won out at 6-4. H. T. Hicks, son of the popular hon. secretary of the Australian Association, gave H. S. Utz a hard fight, but the latter's experience carried him home a winner, 6-2, 6-4. Miss Mitchell beat Miss Lloyd (the latter was in New Zealand as a member of the New South Wales team last seasonj 6-2, 4-6, 6-.1. The loser was not at her best, having just recovered from a severe attack of influenza. It is very doubtful if she will visit New Zealand for the New Zealand championships this year. Miss Lance, the Sydney player, who won the New Zealand championship singles at Hastings, was in great form: and beat Miss Watson 6-1, 6-0. The latter lady beat Miss Lance at Strathfield laet season. Miss Lance is reported to be playing better than ever, her driving being more accurate and with more pace than when she was in New Zealand. Overhead she is also more severe, and should this seaeon be able to hold her own against all comers. Mrs. Utz and Miss Lloyd beat Misses Elliott and Goodwin 6-4, 6-2. ■..'.'

Miss Lance, the.New South Wales champion pjayer, is to be married shortly to a doctor in Melbourne. Sydney's loss will be Melbourne's gain. Victoria, with Mies Lance in its tram, will take some beating. New Zealand has never had a visit from a team of ladies from Melbourne, nor have New Zealand teams ever visited Victoria. Possibly in the near future some arrangement will be come to re matches between the State and the Dominion.

A DENIAL.

In reply to "Port Chalmers" and "Ravensburn," "Huka" wishes it to be distinctly understood that he does not write the tennis notes appearing under "Smash" in the "Otago Daily Times." Possibly the misunderstanding has arisen through about half a colmn—word-for-word, of "Huka's" Wellington notesappearing each week, in file southern paper's tennis column. The writer is pleased to think that his notes are of such interest in the southern city.