THE FOOT-FAULT

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 102, 27 October 1934, Page 22

THE FOOT-FAULT

The value of an auxiliary service line to eliminate the present tendency to foot-fault will be tested by the State Associations on the recommendation o£ the Australian Lawn Tennis Association. At its last meeting the Australian body considered the International Federation's scheme and decided to submiv it to the States for trial. The proposed rule can only be tested in exhibition matches, and i.n early trial i 3 essential, as the Australian Lawn. Tennis Association's recommendation must be lodged with the federation by December.

It was because a foot-fault under present conditions was so difficult to detect that the International Federation decided to seek the views of affiliated countries on the introduction of the auxiliary line. If'the auxiliary' Una is accepted, foot-fault umpires will not have to watch the swinging foot. They will simply have to satisfy themselves that the server keeps one foot behind the auxiliary line.

There is expected to be a marked division of opinion among players on the new proposal. It will meet with greatest opposition'from vhose who rely on the strength of their service. They will bo definitely handicapped by having to make their delivery two feet further.from tho net.

Players who now serve fairly,- getting speed and direction from their delivery, are not likely to countenance' tho change. They would have to suffer for the breaches made by others.

In one respect all players might have some doubt about the wisdom of drawing more lines on a court. Unless' 'the auxiliary line were drawn very faintly a player at the far end of a court could easily confuse it with the baseline and lengthen his drives to reach it. ■

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