LAWN TENNIS IN TARANAKI

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1930, Page 8

LAWN TENNIS IN TARANAKI

WAIWAKA CLUB’S OPENING OFFICIAL CEREMONY PERFORMED. . I ' REMARKABLE PROGRESS OF CLUB.

(By

“Half-Volley.”)

After a postponement for a week in favour of the Pukekura Park Tennis Club, the official opening of the Waiwaka Tennis Club, which is one of the two major clubs in New Plymouth to possess hard courts, took place last Saturday. The gathering, which comprised over 100 players, was a most representative one and included visitors from the New Plymouth, Pukekura Park, Rotokare, Waitara and Fitzroy Methodist Clubs. Mr. R. W. Tate (president of the club) officiated. During the afternoon friendly games were controlled in an excellent manner by Mr. V. Kerr (cluo captain), Mr. L. W. Lovell (hon. secretary) and Mr. Trevella. The welcome extended to the visitors was much appreciated. Although the club has only been in existence for three years it has made remarkable progress, and in regard to its membership it now ranks. among the largest, if not the largest, in Taranaki. Tins is due in a large, measure to the efforts of the club captain, who has creatc.d the right club spirit among members. " Throughout the season it is the practice of the committee to see that on Saturday afternoons, when the courts are fully occupied, all members have an equal share of the play, and that no member .shall monopolise any particular court. Further, when a set has finished playing the members of that particular set must riot play in the same set again, but play with players from other sets. Such a method of controlling the games on afternoons when there are’a great number of players participating is deserving of the highest commendation and might easily be applied ..to other,,clubs. In an endeavour to maintain keen competition by members during the season trophies have been donated by Mr. O. Johnson (former, president) for the most improved man or lady player, and by Dr. Campbell for the honours board. C. A. Wilkinson and Co., Ltd., have also presented a trophy for any event to be decided by the committee. \ At the .opening of the club on Saturday visitors remarked most favourably upon the conditions of the courts and its environs, which are most picturesque. ;

STRATFORD CLUBS’ OPENINGS.

The official opening of the 1930-31 tennis season in Stratford took place at the Methodist Tennis Club’s courts on October 2. In extending a welcome to the visitors from other clubs the Rev.T. Skuse congratulated the comniittee upon the excellent condition of the courts and wished the club a most successful season. He then declared the courts open for the season. A match was arranged between President v. Vice-Presi-dent; teams, and resulted in victory for the latter team by 84 games to 56. On the Thursday following the opening of the Methodist Club the Stratford Tennis Club held its official opening, despite the fact that members had been playing on the courts for a considerable time. °Weather conditions were ideal for tennis and as 'a consequence a large number of members and Visitors were present. In performing the opening ceremony the Mayor (Mr. P. Thomson) referred to the excellent state of the club’s finances and the fine condition of the coutrs. He congratulated the winners of the various competitions last season and hoped that those players who were unsuccessful would increase their efforts to improve their play so that they might carry off the honours this season. The president (Mr. E. C.' A. Gaw) extended a welcome to visitors. He also mentioned that a handicap tournament would be held on Labour Day. Ladies’ and men’s doubles would be played in the morning and combined doubles in the afternoop. Friendly games were then played during the remainder of the afternoon in preference to a president v. vice-president match. At the annual meeting of the Inglewood Tennis Club on Monday night it was stated that the club had experienced a successful season, and that the financial position disclosed a small credit balance. Reference was made to a number of matches in which- the club had participated during the season, particularly the challenge match against Waitara for the Soffe Cup. 4 lt was decided officially to open the season on Labour Day, when a match arranged by the committee will take place. The committee of the Waitara Tennis Club has arrangements well in hand for a successful opening of the club on Labour Day. Invitations have been extended to members of other clubs to be present.

SELECTING A RACQUET.

With the opening of a number of tennis clubs in Taranaki most tennis enthusiasts will already have overhauled their tennis equipment for the season. Racquets and shoes which have been laid aside for a number of months will have been brought out of recess places and examined. Racquets needing repair will either have been restrung or broken strings replaced. In other cases a dressing of gut reviver will probably have been applied. Then, again, others will have discarded the old racquet and invested in a new one. In this respect there is no need, to give advice to the experienced player. He knows a good racquet and will play none but the best. As the price is often the deciding factor, a beginner may be tempted to buy an inferior article. In this respect it will be found that a cheap racquet is often a very bad investment. As a good, workman must have good tools, so must a tennis player who expects to play a good game have a good racquet. A poor racquet will generally prove more expensive in the long run, and the player will derive very little pleasure out of his game. When buying a racquet there are three main things to consider—the balance, grip and weight. At one time it was quite common for many players to use a racquet of 15oz. to 160 z., but it has been found that a light racquet is preferable to a heavy one. For a number of years W. T. Tilden, who is one of the greatest lawn tennis players the world has ever seen, has played with a 13|oz. racquet. Last season, however, he set an example by using a 13joz. racquet. With the exception of Hunter, all the leading American players use racquets of less than 14oz. The average player, therefore, will find it advisable to play with a racquet of

13 to 13J ounces. Careful consideration must also be given to the grip. This, of course, depends entirely upon the player’s hand. In most cases it will be”found that a racquet with a medium-sized handle is preferable to a thick one unless the player has a very big hand. The individual player must, therefore, decide for himself when selecting a racquet what grip suits his hand best. There are some players in the first flight of tennis who play with a racquet weighted in the head, but as a general rule a perfect balance between the head and handle is to be recommended. To sum up a racquet with an even balance, medium grip and not more than 13| ounces in weight should give most satisfaction to the majority of players who play the game for the enjoyment to be obtained therefrom.

STRENUOUS TENNIS CONTEST.

In the most dramatic match played at Wimbledon since the new ground was opened in 1922, W. T. Tilden beat Jean Borotra by three sets to two in the semi-final of the men’s singles. The titanic struggle thrilled the huge crowd on the centre court. It was a remarkable : “come-back” on the part of Tilden, for the 37-year-old American reached the final for the first time since 1921, Borotra, who is 32, amazed everyone by winning the first set 6—o. Never had he played so brilliantly, and Tilden seemed powerless against the' Frenchman’s wonderful volleying (says the News of the World, London). Borotra took the first game of the second set, but the terrific pace began to tell, and, although he led 4—-3, he could not withstand a strong rally by Tilden, who won o—4 and levelled the scores.

Borotra, however, rwas not finished with, and the excited spectators cheered ion the popular Frenchman as he smashed his way to victory in the third set by 6—4. Borotra rested in the fourth set and let it go 6—o. The fifth and final set produced a terrific struggle, and a French victory lookepl probable when Borotra, as the result of wonderful play, led by four games to two, with his own service to follow. Tilden, however, still had something in reserve, and, bringing into action his famous cannon-ball service, made it 4 —4. Then the American won the next game, but amid great excitement Borotra fought back to level at 5—5. The superhuman effort, took its toll of the Frenchman’s stamina, and Tilden romped the last two games to win a 'memorable match. (

OKATO CLUB’S OPENING.

PROSPECTS FOR SEASON BRIGHT.

Light drizzling rain in the early afternoon following showers during the morning did not make prospects look inviting for the official opening of the Okato Tennis Club’s season yesterday, but there was a large gathering'of members and visitors, including players from Tumahu, Tataraimaka Park (New Plymouth). Later in the afternoon the weather cleared and the two i courts were kept fully occupied, • the form shoWn by players auguring well for the future of the club.

Among other improvements effected since the last opening day may be mentioned the erection of the new pavilion. It is now proposed to improve the two asphalt courts by lengthening them and by resurfacing, whilst the committee also has under consideration the laying of a third court, as with the' increasing membership there is congestion. During the afternoon Mr. A. J. Smith, president of the club, extended a welcome to the visitors, remarking that the splendid gathering was evidence of the enthusiasm of members. In declaring the courts open for the season he expressed the hope that it would prove a successful and enjoyable season. < ’ Afternoon tea was then dispensed - by the lady members of the club under the supervision of Mesdames S. Brown and S. B. Halt. Play was continued till dusk.

The day was brought to a fitting conclusion by a dance in the hall in the evening, when there Was a representative attendance. Messrs. R. McKinnell, J. Thomas and J. Wadsworth were masters of ceremonies. Excellent music was provided by Miss Gilhooley, whilst Mr. R. S. Ellis, through his wireless set, provided the music .for the supper extras. Supper was dispensed by the ladies committee under the supervision of Mrs. 8, Brown.