UNDERHAND SERVES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 579, 8 October 1932, Page 28 (Supplement)

UNDERHAND SERVES.

New South Wales Woman Gets Away With It. (Special to the “ Star.”) SYDNEY, September 29. A cannonball service is one of the most essential parts of a star tennis player’s make-up, and for a champion to possess an underhand delivery containing only spin and get away with it is most extraordinary. Some 3'ears ago Betty Nuthall was the target of unending criticism because of her underhand service. It became so outspoken and prolonged that she finally changed to overhead. Criticism may have influenced Betty Nuthall, but it has not had the slightest effect on Mrs Helen Anderson, women’s singles champion of the Hornsby Hard Court Tennis Association, captain of the Angus and Coote team, and popular with all her fellow-players. Perhaps she has not had as much limelight as the more famous Bett>-, but her underhand service is just as disconcerting as any cannonball delivery. It is extraordinary in the extreme. Striking the ball almost as low as her knees, she imparts a tremendous amount of spin, the ball just skimming the net and shooting off at a sharp angle as it hits the court. All Mrs Anderson’s opponents have found it extremely difficult to handle, chiefly because the ball keeps so low, curls through the air, and bounces so awkwardly. Mrs Anderson also ignores smashing and overhead volleying of every description. Standing on the baseline while her partner is serving, she does all the work at the back of the court, mixing chops and drives delightfully, and placing the ball so carefully that it is said she can bounce it on a penny if she so desires. Mrs Anderson learned her game from her mother, who was at one time champion of the Sussex County. Naturally she does not see why she should alter her service now.