TENNIS TOPICS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2803, 20 November 1931, Page 3 (Supplement)

TENNIS TOPICS

“ BIG BILL ” TILDEN OFFERS POINTERS FOR PLAYERS. The famous tennis champion, who has recently made a series of motion pictures at'the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, favours our readers with helpful hints and advice. The fore-hand drive (says “ Big Bill ”) is the foundation stroke of all, tennis—the one used in attack and defence. In making the fore-hand drive the body should be sideways to the net, the weight travelling forward with the stroke. My swing is a circle, and when I face the net at only one point will it meet the ball fairly. When I turn sideways to ths net the racquet comes through flat from behind my right hip all the way through to in front of my left hip. It gives me many more chances to make a good shot, and that’s something I like to have. In dropping the racquet back to start the stroke there are several methods. All methods are correct as long as the racquet gets behind. The swing is in three parts. That behind the body imparts speed and pace. That immediately in front of the body gives the direction. THE SLICE SERVICE. XVith the slice service you take your position sideways to the net. You toss the ball as high as you can comfortably reach. You allow the weight to drop back and the arm to swing comfortably up, and you meet the ball to the right of your head and slightly in front of it. XVith the American twist you take the same position. You toss the ball to the left of the head as high as you can comfortably reach, bending back and lifting across towards the.right. The ball lands spinning, and is very hard to hit. ABOUT VOLLEYING. The volley is tho shot that’s played in the air before the ball bounces. It is the attacking shot of tennis. It is usually played by a man rushing.to the net to hurry his opponent with his return. You always try to win the point with a volley. You never defend with it. The volley is played with a grip that is just half way between the fore-hand grip and the back-hand grip. The shot is played with a stiff wrist, flat racquet face, and no follow through. The correct volley position is six or eight feet from the net. You await the volley facing the net. Tho moment you see which side it is coming you turn sideways and go out to meet the ball. Do not let the ball come to meet you, but reach forward and let the racquet take it well in front of your body. From the right position the ball can be sent to any part of the court, The ball from the strings of the racquet travels so fast that the receiver has a tough time to return it. Stepping into the ball forces the opponent to rush his game, and throws him off form, leaving him open to attack. It is the shot that wears a man ragged if he chases it.