TENNIS HINTS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 26 May 1928, Page 13

TENNIS HINTS

SECRET OF SUCCESS. KNOW YOUR SERVICE AND GO , ALL OUT. Only in the tenseness of match play does the real lawn tennis champion reveal himself (writes, Jean Lacoste, world’s champion). Not every player who shows excellent form and is difficult to beat in practice games will win matches. There are special conditions, largely mental, that are essential for the winning of matches. You must be calm. You must, not let anything distract you. You must forget every thing except the ball, for as long as you concentrate you will not suffer from nerves..

You must will yourself to win. It is true that even in a match it is better to play well than to win, but with the desire for victory good play always becomes stronger.

Never Relax. You must have the true fighting spirit, playing with all your muscles, all your enthusiasm, all your mind, till the very end of the match. If you are winning, you must not get carried away; if you are losing, you can still recover. You must appreciate your own mental viewpoint and adapt your tactics to it. If you are physically strong, but inclined to be nervous, then use your muscles rather than your mind; play a forcing game, either as a hardhitting base-liner or as a quick, attacking volleyer. On the other hand, if you are calm, play with your head ' as the steady, accurate base-liner who prepares bus openings. Better still, if you are strong both mentally and physically, mix these two styles, hitting hard with, your muscles and playing accurately with your head. During a match you have to go all out. Do not intentionally keep in reserve either your stamina, your strength, or your mental resources. Some points in the match will be less essential than others, but you must not relax when playing them; and for the essential points you must play even harder than ever.

All through the match you must concentrate, but particularly at decisive points, such as when the score is 30 all or deuce, at 4 all, at 1 set all, or when you are getting a decisive lead cr becoming even with your opponent.

Know the value of the service, for it is your main chance. Tf you aie leading, your opponent will do his utmost to win his own services, and if he can win one of yours he will draw level. Yon must not let him! Do not get “flushed with victory.” If you are winning through playing .safe, go on playing safe, and if you are winning through attacking go on attacking If you change your policy when you are winning, you will begin to lose. But if you are losing, change jour policy at once. Try to find new tactics, new strokes, and, above all, never show annoyance or discom-agement. Always make your opponent think you are full of confidence and stamina. While you are playing for safety, play from time to time a hard decisive drive; it may win the point, bat apart from that it will surprise your opponent and make him think you are keep ing something in .reserve. Don’t think that difficult shots are too difficult. Run after them, and when some crone back it will worry your opponent, so that next time he may overhit or miss his stroke. You have never lost till you’ve won!

Sportsmansliip. If you are playing doubles, be aieal “pard.” If he plays badly, don’t shew him a worried face, but encourage him, help him by preparing openings for him, and whenever you can applaud his good shots. Do not forget that a smile to your partner will prove just as valuable in the game as a smash to the sideline. It should not be necessary to say : “Be a- sportsman.” Still, let us have it, for it w.!l serve to sum up all that makes lawn tennis so popular. Lawn tennis is a game, and will play it for the pleasure of the game. Tou won’t take unfair advantages over your opponent,_ you will neither hurry him nor keep him waiting, you will not default or retire. When the ump-’re gives a wrong decision against you, do not show your feelings, do nob even think cf it. What is a single pr int in a match? When the decision js unduly in your favour, give the next point to your opponent —bat give it, in a natural manner, that no cue may know. lieu are playing, are you -not, in order to play better in tlw future? Very well. Say “Well done!” to your opponent. You want, of course to win, blit what does it matter? Whether you win or lose, the game’s the tiling!