HINTS TO YOUNG PLAYERS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 7 October 1922, Page 9

HINTS TO YOUNG PLAYERS.

Now that the tennis season is about to commence, it might be as well to remind beginners of a few elementary truths which they will do well to bear •'.Continually in mind. First and foremost, is the 'consideration of dress. Nothing is more out of place than to see on tennis courts lady "players decked out in all the colours of the rainbow, and men wearing the garb of the White is the colour universally "adopted as the best. to play tennis in, and no player has a right to contravene such a well-established regulation and make himself or herself an eyesore on any court of any' club, however humble such a club may be in its pretensions. . The next consideration is that of a r.&cket. There-are so many good makes •to be had nowadays that it would be invidious to name any special one. A racket of from 13|oz to 14oz is recommended, not too tightly strung, but with, an even balance. The grip, which is important, must be such as to suit the hand of the one who Is to use the racket. It is a • great mistake to get a racket with a grip too small as it is to have it too large. Always obtain

the best. This is a case where expense at the outset is cheapest in the long run. Always play with fairly new halls. Nothing tends so much to bad playf as using balls that are either too dead or have become light by being worn w*th use. See that the net is the Tight height, neither too high nor too low. It should be 3ft. in the middle and 3ft. 6in. at the posts. In. all games play to win—but play fairly. Remember that you take from your opponent what credit he may have earned in defeating you if you have -not played your best. Remember a ball is not out until it lands out. Do not volley a ball and at the same time call "out." There is a chance that it might fall just inside the line,; and you' therefore rob y^our opponent of a point. Such a proceeding further contributes to a waste of time, an important consideration where a club membership is large and the number of courts is1 limited. Always pass the ball under the net. It saves time and is more courteous than driving; it over the net. Practise consistently by using the volley board if your club possesses one.