Lawn Tennis Notes

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 98, 22 October 1938, Page 23

Lawn Tennis Notes

MORE UMPIRES WANTED

CLUBS SHOULD CO-OPERAXE

Most of the Wellington tennis clubs are now open and th« 1938-39 season is well under way. On Saturday next the inter-club competitions will start at Miramar, and players will not be overoptimistic in looking forward to a good season. There is at least one way in which they can assist themselves and the game generally; that is, by supporting a body which is doing much for tennis and which is^ probably not recognised as the asset it is—the Umpires* Association.

MS? rSe^ y a band ot enthusiasts inbers to join, it might be worth meniyJ7, the Umpires' Association has ad-tioning that some of the umpires last vanced greatly, and all that is needed season had the privilege of seeing thm now is increased membership. During Quist-Stedman, New Zealand -Davi* its few years of existence the associa- Cup team, and Wilding Shield matches, tion has proved its value and its great The holders of badges will be adpotentialities by supplying umpires and mitted free to tournaments 'controlunravelling knotty tennis problems, led by the Auckland, Wellington, and A few months ago the Wellington, Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association,' Auckland, and Christchurch Associa- provided they umpire if called upon.' tions formed the New Zealand Lawn It is hoped to extend this to include Tennis Umpires' Association. Exam- any tournament under the control of inations have boen arranged and the the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Asso-; candidates who pass, are provided with ciation badges which make them "official" umpires.

FOOT-FAULTS DEFINED.

It is hoped that the Wellington Association will ultimately take over all matches under the jurisdiction of the Wellington Lawn Tennis Association and other matches, but until it is fully supported it cannot do all it wants to. The membership is now over 75, but this will need to be doubled before the work can be carried out in the way it is intended to be.

There must be many players in Wellington who are thinking of giving up the game (or even those who are not) who could devote a few" hours to umpiring at a tournament. The association does not expect a member to

Last season was most successful iw* that the association gained a more es^ tablished and recognised position iav Wellington tennis. Following \the en-/ forcement of the foot-fault rule, therewas plenty of discussion and manyf charges were made against the association. It should be clear to players that the umpires are only concerned' with the rules and that they are ther* to help, and not to spoil, tennis. In this instance after long and care-, ful consideration, it was decided todeal firmly with all breaches. This did not meet with the approval of all players, but as far as the association was concerned, the personal elementwas, never allowed to arise. Two type* of foot-faults caused the worst heartburnings. The first of these is wheiv the server takes a step forward aftei; commencing to serve, and the other when the server lifts the front footfrom the ground, replaces it, and lift* the back foot Of these, by far the most common was the first, the other1 being seldom seen on the court.

Following the foot-faulting of A, C... Stedman at Miranjar, the controversy; flamed afresh. Stedman stated that' he was not breaking the rule, and thaty the step forward he took was not" deemed a foot-fault in England. That opinion of such an experienced player;; carried weight with tennis players; ' and it was decided to seek the opinion!! of overseas associations. At the same time the association stated that if they . were proved to be wrong, they would be the first to admit their mistake.' Replies have been received from; Great Britain and New South Wales.Both agree that the step forward is a foot-fault, arid Great Britain stated!; that Madame Mathieu was foot-faulted; at Wimbledon for the same thing; at' Stedman at Miramar. ■ -

(New South Wales further agree*-\ that the rocking from one foot to th* other is a foot-fault, but as Great* Britain disagrees, its interpretation, will be followed. Therefore; this will not be called in future, but all tothjer*,' will be dealt with as before. In case in the future some might wish to»" argue whether the front foot advances, or is replaced in the same position, it might be advisable-to remind them that,the umpire is, the £ol» judge of fact. "