WOMEN IN TENNIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19809, 2 December 1927, Page 7

WOMEN IN TENNIS.

DRESS ON THE COURTS. LEADING ENGLISH PLAYERS. | The keenest admiration for the attractive appearance of English women on the tennis court was expressed by Miss Marjorie Macfarlane, who returned to Auckland this week after a two years' visit abroad. Playing in tournament matches in Great Britajn and France, Miss Macfarlane entered fully into the life of the tennis world and had many opportunities of observing its various aspects. From a sartorial point of view, nhe wj.s much impressed with the trim neatness of the players. In fact, the care and. attention given to detail might be said to resolve itself into an elegance worthy of a stage parade. ; . A present-day tennis outfit, was planned with as much regard to its elegant lines 'Cf as to its serviceableness, and the latter was a very important matter, as every garment was fashioned to promote freedom of movement, grace and comfort. The one-piece frock was cut en simple lines, semi-fitting to the hips, where it was belted and pleated to give scope for free play. Hie material used was in* variably pique, tricoline or a heavy crepe de chine, and the Only frivolous touch to the workmanlike outfit, which was often tailored, was an embroidered initial on the tunic bodice. Change in Coiffure. The shingled head presented the maximum degree of art as expressed by a modern coiffure. Worn a litt's longer at the back than that of Last season's mode the hair was waved in large ripples. An eye-shade or bandeau took the place of a hat aDd a brightlv-coloared tileeveless cardigan was the only means whereby in- ' dividuaJity could be expressed in taste for colourful contrasts. \Vhite stockings were invariably worn, although on the Riviera there was a decided vogue for flesh-coloured ones/ An unusual departure from recognised standards of dress on tennis ctiurts in England was the appearance of Mjjm Tapscott, of South Africa, who did not wear stockings for play, but just the rolled-over tennis socks reaching to the ankles. This vogue had been followed by several players in England, among whonit wero Miss Joan Ridley and Miss Lumley Ellis. The care and attention paid to personal appearance was evidenced in the fact thai players arrived at the courts, in their clothes and did not change until their time for changing was announced by megaphone. This studied effect in appearance was emphasised by the fact that, , when playing in a second match, the player changed back to her ordinary clothes and again donned the tenc.is outfit when the call was sounded. This was done to avoid getting the frock crushed when sitting round the courts. Thus the entrants for matches arrived laden 'with paraphernalia, as they always brought a tennis press with no fewer than three racquets for a match. Miss Hut hall and Mrs. Lambton. Miss Betty Nuthall, who was of the fair English type, was very attractive, thoroughly unspoilt, and undeniably possessed a youthful charm. Mrs. Lambton, who had been one of the foremost players in England for many years, was a wonderful example of the physical fitness and staying powers of the English: sportswoman. She played in tournament, singles matches with apparent ease and retained her high standard after many years' strenuous play. There wena many others who, like Mrs. Lambton, could be quoted as examples of ihe English woman's superb .strength which must ue* doubtedlv be due to the continual exer* cisd^aiwJ*■ high standard os fitness de«' mantled- by tournament players. Th© enormous gate-money at the great Wimbledon matches gave some idea of the popularity of tennis in England, and the fact that 30,000 people were turned, away from the last Wimbledon champion matches on account of lack of seating accommodation further evidenced fche widespread interest in the game. Tennis in England was nevertheless an expensive game if played at any of the ■ . larger London courts such as Queen s, Roehampton or Hurlingham. Besides thesubscription and entrance fee, there was a charge for the use of a court, and players always used six balls and employed a ball-boy Tipping and other extras, soon mourn ed up the expense of a game. In the counties the terms wire not so high and games could be enjoyed at a ihucfi lower cost.