LAWN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19783, 2 November 1927, Page 16

LAWN TENNIS.

BY STDZLETE.

LEARNING THE GAME.

WRONG METHODS EMPLOYED. HOW TO ATTAIN GOOD FORM. —-

At the start of the season the wntisr visited a number of the outer-suburban clubs, and since then, has also had an opportunity of seeing many of the playere of some of the larger town clubs in action. A glance at the play of those outside the first two grades and, iu some cases, in those grades, reveals the absolutely wrong methods used by many players, methods which definitely prevent advancement. Many of the faults are not bad ones, and a little thought, and study on the F«art of the player concerned would correct them. Take faulty grips as an instance. There is absolutely no reason why a player should employ an incorrect grip. It is not suggested that study will make everyone a champion, but there is no doubt that many & . club player could lift himself out of the groove in which he remains if he paid more attention to good form. There are three ways of learning tennis: Firstly, by watching good players and imitating them; secondly, by means of an instructor; and thirdly, by means of books. Professional coaching, or frequent practice with an experienced player who has acquired good form will work wonders. For those who have not the advantage of personal coaching books furnish the next best guide. When possible the study of books should accompany instruction on the court. Most players can boy many excellent bocks, and emission to do so does not speak well i'or the bona fides of a pupil's "intention to succeed.

Lacoste a Goal Example. Possibly, the best example of » player who has concentrated on tfes game an<i studied it from every angle, is the present world's champion, Bene Lacos" eHard work and the study of Hi® strokes of famous players, with sufficient modification of them to suit his-pSrii style, has raised Kim to his preset position. According to Laeoste the practice of the game is based on certain rules, the neglect of which much inevitably lead to inferior play ia general, although it does not preclude the possibility of any single successful jrt'roke in particular. From these rules the technique of the game is derived. A beginner may, by making a wild slam, bring off a stroke of exceptional brilliance, while disdaining all the rules that make good play possible. Bat fee will not be able to reproduce the same shot by the same means, because the reproduction ©I a brilliant shot is dependent on good play, and good play is only possible when the roles that form the basis of the strokes of tJwi. game are observed. This, in fact, constitutes the difference between a good shot and a. "fluke." Fixtures for the Season.

The following tournament dates have been passed by the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association. The list will b>* of interest to those players who are contemplating a tennis tour during the season. It will be noted that the Waikato Association has been granted the North Island championships. Botorna has so far failed to send in an application for its usual tournament. New Zealand championships, 36th t< 31st December, at Cbristchurch; Auck land. 24th, 26th, 27th, 28th December, handicaps, at Auckland } North Otago, 24th, 26th. 27th December, championships and handicaps, at Oamaru; Southland, 25th. 27 December, championships and handicaps, at InvercargiU; Marlborough, 26ih, 27th, 28th December, championships and handicaps, at Blenheim; Well ington, 26tb, 27th, 23th December, American tournament, at Miramar; South Canterbury, 31st December, 2nd and 3rd January, championship and handicaps, at Timarn; Waikato East. Sub-association, 31st -December, 2nd and 3rd January, championship and handicaps, at Tiraa; Wanganui, 31st December, &d, 3rd. 4thJanuary, championships and handicaps, at Wanganui; Taranaki, 4th, sth, 6th, 7th January, championships and handicaps, at New Plymouth; Manawatu, 9th, 10th, Hth, 12th January, championships and handicaps, at Palmexston North; Nelson, 13th, 14th, 16th, 17th January, championships and handicaps at Nelson; Hawke's Bay, 14th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th Januarr provincial championships and handicaps, at Waipawa; Wairarapa. 21st, 23rd, 24th, 25th January, championships and handicaps, at Masterton; Wellington, 21st, 23rd, 24th, 25th January, provincial championships and handicaps, at Miracaar: Canterbury, 26th, 27th, 28th Janaary, provincial championships and handicaps, at Christchurch : Auckland 26th"T 27th, 28th, 30th January, championships sad handicaps, at, Auckland. Easter Dates.—North Auckland," 6th, 7th, Sfch, 10th April, championships and handicaps, at Wbaoerarei: New " Zealand Maori, 6th, 7th, !Hh, 10th April, New Zealand championships, at (not fixed); Waikato, 6th, 7th, 9th 10th April, North Island championships, at Hamilton; Auckland, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th April, Easter tournament, at Auckland; Gtago, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th April, championship and handicaps, at Dunedin: Wellington, 6th, 7th. 9th, 10th April, Eiaster tournament at Miramar. , Open Club Events.—Kawera, 24th. 26th, 27th, 28th December, championships and handicaps, at Hawera; Martinborough, 26th, 27th, 28tb, 29th December, championships and handicaps, at Martinborough; Pahiatua, 2nd, 3rd. 4th January, championships and handicaps, at Pahiatua -. Dannevirke, 23rd, 24th, 25ih, 26th January, championships and handicaps, -at Darmevirke; Hawke's Bay, 6th, 7th. 9th, 10th April, championships and handicaps, at Napier. Miss Macfarlane in Form. In an interesting letter, Miss Marjorie Macfarlane writes of her tenuis experiences in England. At Eastbourne she was beaten in the singles, but reached the semi-final of the mixed doubles;, partnered by Hill, of the Yale and Harvard team. They were beaten in the final by Ingram and Miss Tyrell, After having a match point at 6—5, they finally lost at 14—12. At Hythe Miss Macfarlane won the open single, beating Mrs. Mavrogodato in the semi-final round after a close contest on a wet court. Mrs. Mavrogodato, by chopping and clever drop shots, secured the first set, and ran into a 4—3 lead in the second, but Miss Macfarlane then forged abend and won the last two sets at 6—4, 4—6, 6—4, 5-4. The last match was played oa a hard court, the grass being too "wet, and Miss Macfarlane mentions that it is most difficult to get accustomed to going from grass to a hard urt, and then back again, as players are forced to do in England. At the Roehampton hard courts tournament Miss Macfarlane beat Miss Hunt, who did welt to beat Miss Ei.ecn Bennett, in the South of France. She then bfest Miss Saunders., but went, out to Miss Dive in the next round. v Miss Macfarlane mentions that she met Andrews, who, she stated, was doing well, but had not yet accustomed himself to the English condtions. In her opinion he will do very well in England once he settles down to his true game. Miss Macfarlane played in an exhibition match at Peterborough with Miss Betty Nutha!* against Miss Coilyer aid Mrs. John Hill, -a membei of the Wightman Cup team, and also with Higgs in a mixed doubles.