HENRICOCHET

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 507, 9 November 1928, Page 6

HENRICOCHET

j MOST DEADLY SHOT IS ( 1 HIS OVERHEAD SMASH I SAYS HELEN WILLS [ WORLD’S BEST VOLLEYER According to the British critic, S. Wallis Myers, Henri Cochet, of France is the world’s best tennis player. To this, Helen Wills the American crack who, just by the way, is the same critic's choice as the finest women player, writes: “Yes, Henri Cochet undoubtedly ranks among the world’s best volleyers, while he stands out as one with a finished, polished style and fine technique.” Henri is rather small, quiet, almoi shy, but he is a very attractive figur

Serious by nature, he rarely smiles while playing, but gives every thought and effort to the game. His game is marked by its precision and purpose, qualities which are evident to the most casual onlooker. A splendid temperament for match play is his daring without carelessness, speed without hurry, animation without nervousness. On the Riviera I played mixed doubles both with and against him, and was impressed by his wonderful alertness and speed on the court. Also, he has the gift of being able to surprise his opponent by the unexpected angles of his A flick of the wrist, and his volleys reach the unexpected and impossible places. His net play is very decisive, and well controlled. Lightning volleys, or delicate drop shots just over the net, make him a dangerous adversary for the backcourt player against him. Cochet’s most deadly shot is his overhead smash. Unlike most players he is very sure of this stroke. I have, seen him go through a whole match without missing a single one. From almost any position on the court he can kill a lob, and it is only the most unthinking adversary who gives him the chance to make this shot.