IN AUCKLAND.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 6 February 1926, Page 12

IN AUCKLAND.

Writing after the championship meeting in Auckland, the Auckland Star commented on the progress made by younger players. The clitic continued : “A feature is the number of en. tries from the younger school of players ,showing a line wealth of talent to follow in the footsteps of those who have placed Auckland tennis on. the high plane it at present occupies. One noticeable feature of the younger players is their good stroke production. Auckland has been fortunate in having so many of the world’s champions passing through and giving exhibitions when here.

“A great impetus was .given to the game when the Davis Cup was played in Auckland in 1920, and the younger school was lucky in having • uch stylists to model their strokes on, and such opportunities since of seeing first-class tennis from overseas players. The tendency of the younger school to hit hard is perhaps, a good feature also. There are some of the older school who argue that it is better to begin steadily and increase pace as control is ensured, but the modern players favour reversing process, and the present day fashion in training the youngsters is to encourage them to make their strokes, correctly

and hit hard; as J. O. Anderson contends control can come later, but there are very few players who, once settling down to >a» steady game, can acquire pace sufficiently to produce a brilliant game.

Volleying is now more prominent amongst the younger fry, and quite young girls are to. be seen at the net nowadays. This is improving the play in the ladies’ doubles, and one now seldom sees a ladies’ match in which one, if not both, of the. ladies can successfully take up a net position. The day of long driving rallies between four ladies is past, thank goodness. Mixed doubles play is also greatly improved by the quick volleying rallies in which the ladies participate. Whilst the improvement in method in men’s play throughout the world lias not shown much advancement during the last few years, undoubtedly the introduction .of volleying and smashing into the ladies’ game has greatly added to the attractiveness of the game. AH young players should concentrate on volleying and smashing, to their own better enjoyment, iand certainly to that of the spectators. ’ ’

PERSONAL. At Dannevirke, the Powdrells, who Were so prominent at Hawera, just failed to get into several of the big events. Powdrell Bros, were beaten by Andrews and Lowry, S. Powdrell and Mrs. Het ley went down to Andrews and Miss Bennett, and S. Powdrell was beaten by Andrews.