TENNIS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 297, 1 December 1928, Page 8

TENNIS

(By

“Back-Hand”)

“Train your young players as France has done, is the advice given to Australia by Norman Brookes, president of the Australian Lawn Tennis Council, after a tennis tour of the world lasting seven months.

“It would be a good thing to place more tennis courts in parks in Australian cities and to engage professionals to assist young players,’’ said Brookes. “It is difficult to gauge the future of Australian tennis, but I see no reason why we should not pro duce many champions. At the French headquarters in Paris there are 30 courts, and they are crowded from early morning until night by young players, whose ages range from eight to 17 years. The players are instructed by professionals, and numbers of them, both boys and girls, are showing good form and style.

“Britain has started a movement to foster sport, and tennis is receiving a great deal of attention. Sir Arthur Crosfield is behind the movement, and much good work is being accomplished.”

Referring to the form of Crawford and Hopman Mr Brookes said that they should benefit from their tour, but there was a risk that they might become stale. He considered that they were a match for the younger players, such as Lott and Hennessy (United States), and in two or three years should be the equal of any players in the world. Interest m tennis was keen on the Continent, particularly in Germany. The Germans were anxious to play the Australians.

THE ALL COURT GAME.

“Many critics believe that we have reached the ultimate development of the game. Personally, I say we have not. I say it without equivocation, and with authority,” writes W. T. Tilden in the Yorkshire “Post.”

“Watch Richards. Cochet, Lacoste, and many of the younger players, and you will see signs of new shots, or attempts at new shots, along the lines of the use of the forecourt for sharpangled passing shots, in the use of the mid-court volley, the half-volley, and the rising bounce shots. Every player who desires to succeed in the future must equip himself with every shot in the game, and then strive to explore the mysteries of the forecourt. Yet at this time when lam speaking of the last word in tennis technique, the ultimate in stroke production. let me fcr a moment sound the warning that on the rock of first principles the new game must be built. You cannot learn the fine points without complete mastery of the fundamentals. Most players slur over the importance of that cardinal point without which modern tennis, in fact any tennis, is impossible. “Keep your eye on the ball, and keep your mind op the game. It was during that period, say, from 1907 to 1914, that one figure appeared who, in my opinion, was nearly years ahead of his time. That was N. E. Brookes, the Australian wizard. When other players knew nothing of the ailcourt game, Brookes was playing and studying it with a certainty and knowledge that we to-day may well be proud some day to attain. Brookos was our first all-court player. “Since the war new all-court stars have gained prominence—Vincent Richards, Henri Cochet Rene Lacoste and others. During the years from 1916 to 1920, I was gradually gaining mastery of my varied strokes and proving what I had always contended against great opposittion, that no player can have too many strokes in his equipment. Even as a boy, I was a believer in the varied all-court game t ; yet during the years I was experimenting with the different strokes I was told repeatedly and vehemently that I was working along the wrong idea, that I should concentrate on one style and play it am that I should never learn to both drive and chop. “For years this estimate appeared correct. Finally the turn came. “WTiat is this all-court game)’ What does it include ? First, I claim it must include all the standard strokes—service, both slice and twist, drive and chop, both forehand and backhand, volley and smash. Second, it must include varied depth. No longer will consistently deep driving prove a satisfactory standard. Third, the a'll-rqund court game demands varied spin of the ball, with which to change pace. Ever- player must be able to both undercut and top-spin his ground shots. Fourth there ust be controlled speed. Please note the word ‘controlled.’ Speed alone will not suffice. It must include sufficient control to vary it according to the opponent you face. “If I were to attempt to define ths all-court game tersely. I should call it ‘consistent inconsistency.’ In other words, you must be able to vary your game at will, both as to direction and depth, speed and spin.” TOURNAMENT DATES Following are the lawn tennis tournament fixtures to date:— New Zealand Championships—December 26, 27, 29. 31 (at Auckland). North Otago Championships and Handicaps—Christmas dates (at Oamaru). Marlborough Championships and Handicaps—Christmas dates (at Blenheim). Southland Championships and Handicaps—.. Christmas dates (at Invercargill). Ma rtinborough Championships and Handicaps—December 26, 27. 28. 29 (at Martinborough). Canterbury Open and Handicaps — December 25 to 31 (at Wilding Park). Poverty Bay and East Coast- Championships and Handicaps—December 26, 27, 28, 29 (at Gisborne). Rotorua Club Championships and Handicaps—December 25, 26. 27 (at Rotorua). Auckland Handicaps—December 31 January 1 and 2 (at Auckland). (Continued on,Next Column).

Hastings Club Championships and Handicaps—December 26, 27, 28, 29 (at Hastings) • Hawem Club Championships and Handicaps—December 26, 27, 28, 29 (at Hawera). Waikato East Championships and Handicaps—December 29, 31, January 1 and 2 (at Matamata). Otago Championships and Handicaps—January 1,2, 3 (at Dunedin). Wanganui Championships and Handicaps—January 1,2, 3 (at Wanganui). Taranaki Championships and Handicaps—January 2, 3. 4 5 (at New Plymouth.) South Canterbury Championships and ’Handicaps—January 1,2, 3 (at Timaru). Pahiatua Club Championships and Handicaps—January 1,2, 3 (at Pahiatua). Manawatu Championships and Handicaps—January 7. 8,9, 10 (at Palmerston North). Waipukurau Club Championships and Handicaps—January 10, 11, 12 (at Waipukurau). Waipawa Club Championships and Handicaps—January 15, 16, 17, 18 (at Waipawa). Wellington Championships and Handicaps—January 19, 21. 22. 23 at Miramar). Wairarapa North Island Championships and Wairarapa Championships and Handicaps—January 19, 21, 22, 23 (at Masterton). Canterbury Championships and Handicaps—January 24, 25. 26 (at Wilding Park). Auckland Championships and Handicaps—January 25, 26, 28, 29 (at Stanley street). West Coast Championships and Handicaps—. January 23, 24. 25 (at Greymouth). Dannevirke Club Championships and Handicaps—January 26, 28, 29. 30 (at) Dannevirke). Maori Championships—March 19 to 23 (at Hamilton), and all Finals at Ngaruawahia. EASTER DATES. Otago—South Island Championships (at Dunedin). Wijlingto n—Hard Court Championships and Handicaps (at Miramar). Mfeon—Championships and Handicaps (at Nelson). Canterbury—Open and Handicaps (at Wilding Park). Htwko's Bay—Championships and Handicaps (at Napier). North Auckland—Championships and Handicaps (at Whangarei). Waikato—Championships and Handicaps (at Hamilton). Thames Valley—Championships and Handicaps (at Te Aroha). St John’s Club—Championships and Handicaps (at Wanganui). Birkenhead and Northcote ClubChampionships and Handicaps (at Northcote). New Zealand University Championships (at Christchurch).