LAWN TENNIS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 30 November 1927, Page 3

LAWN TENNIS

AND HOW TO PLAY IT TACTICS (XVUI) (Specially Written lor "The Mail")... (By Eene Lacoste—World's Champion) (This aeries of articles by the champion tennis player, Rene Lacoetp,.'. <Je-. scribes thoroughly each step in mastering tho game and will bo of great interest and practical assistance to tennis playeirs.) In practice games, victory may come to muscle, represented by good strokes, in match play, it will 'come to brain, represented by good tactics. Many experts have been brought- to fame- by sound tactics in spite of unorthodox and comparatively weak .strokes. Mavrogordato, for instance, or Wallace Johnston, or Sluein —such players have been known to beat much better players, simply because they used their weaker strokes more effectively. PLAY .YOUR BEST STROKE In practising, your business is to improve your play, and to this end you must then play your weakest strokes, to make them better. In a match, your business is to win;- and you must therefore only play your strongest strokes. If your service is good, do not tire yourself ;by playing it hard in practices, but put every ounce of play into it in matches. If you are good as a volleyer, follow your service in matches as«much as you can. If your forehand drive is good, try to stay slightly on the left of the court so as to be able to play more forehand and less backhand. Iu match play you must not bother unduly about rules and principles and good style, but simply play "all out." Most players, as soon as they know which are their best strokes and exactly how much pace and spin they can safely impart to the ball without loss of control, aidopt a definite set of tactics to suit their play. Some, such as Gordon Lowe, Jacob, Johnston and Shimidzu, choose to be steady, tireless baseliuers. Of these four examples, Gordon Lowe simply sends the ball in play, Jacob and Johnston are more aggressive while Shimidzu plays with Japanese wizardry which is very hard to meet. Players of this type can always beat any champion who is not at the top of his form. Others choose more audacious and .aggressive tactics, Anderson and Washer, for instance, relying: on the drive, MacLouglin and Patterson on service, and Murray and Borotra on volleying. This type of player always plays the same game, hitting every stroko as hard as possible to the boSt position for scoring. He plays his own game, regardless of his opponent's answering tactics, anid- success either comes or fails according to his form and according' to whether or not the opponent knows how to meet the attack, CHANGE YOUR TACTICS The greatest champion, however, must not play on any set tactical scheme. He must be ablo to mix steadiness and speed, attack and defence, he must change his tactics to fit outside conditions or anew opponent. He must play the game that best suits his temperament and his capabilities, but he must vary it, remembering that the strokes and tactics that will beat one opponent will not necessarily answer the jjjay of another- ■'■ For instance, against a very--, good volleyer, it may pay a weak volleyer to go to the net, simply in order to drive his opponent from it. Similarly, when playing against fast drives that carry top spin, it may pay a man whose best drive is straight to rise some undercut. It all depends .upon your opponent's play. You have to give him the shots that he most dislikes to meet. If your forehand across court drive is strong, you should use it frequently', but if your opponent is weak in his backhands, you' must alter your play and send most of your shots along the line to force him to use that weak backhand. Three years ago, Cochet's straight forehand stroke was' weak; but he has been forced to play it so often against players who played particularly against it that it is now nearly as good as this across court driveSometimes it will happen that your best stroke is the one your opponent meet fears, and so you will be able to beat him even if you are really below his class. Johnston can defeat Patterson with his hard drivo taken on the rise, and Anderson can beat Johnston with his straight low-bouncing drive; - THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE GAME Even if your opponent is well ""Celow your ; usual" standard of play, yom can never be certain of victory. If you return service with a chop stroke and your opponent sends you a slice ball, you will lose many returns all'through the match. If you use top spin and he uses undercut, your strokes may become erratic. That is why you have go.t to learn to alter your strokes and your tap-' tics according to the play of your op-.' poneut. The first time Tildcn met Pat-, terson, he discovered in the very first set that a low sliced backhand could ruin Patterson's backhand, and_ he adapted his play accordingly. Tf youare a good tactician you will oblige your opponent to use his weakest stroke,-and you will even force that stroke to become still weaker. Against a real champion, a player's level is that of; his worst stroko. Suzanne Leuglen is an excellent example of this. She knows how -to .punch Miss Fry's .weak backhand, how'to make Miss Ryan's'''chop erratic, and how to draw Mrs Mallory to tlio net. She does not fear any. stroke, and what is more she knows how to make the weaknesses of her opponents still weaker. . Do' not imagine that it is not fair play to take advantage of external conditions and aggravate their effect on your opponent. It is perfectly fair, and as soon as you change ends he will do it to you. If the sun is in your opponent's eyes and the wind in your favour, send him lobs: oh a wet court uso undercut, on a hot day use top spin. Do nob only attack your opponent's strokes, attack also his stamina. Make him run. Tire him out. You must not hurry him between rallies, but while the ball is in play do not be afraid of tiring him by your accurate placing. Do not forget to anticipate your opponent's strokes. Under given conditions, most players will return a ball to the same place, and if you move towards that place you will have more chance of reaching the ball. Do not hesitate to run after desperate shots: not only may you save the point, but when your opponent ; sees your energy and determination he will try to hit hVder next time and this jnay cause him to. miss the shot. Above all, when your tactics are bringing you victory, preserve them; when they are bringing you defeat, change them. Attack is the best defence, and hard hitting the best attack. (Next article: Match Pljpy)