TENNIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 12, 15 January 1936, Page 4

TENNIS

(By A. N. Campbell, Pro., AV.L.T.A.) Having been on holiday I do not know what has happened in local tennis, so these notes will contain a little of everything. lirst, of all 1 should like to congratulate Cox and L'dy on their North Island doubles title win. Al. L. Lampe Hawera champion, and Aliss Alay Purcell triple winner at Hawera and N. Ha;-Campbell who thared the honours in the mixed with Alary Purcell, and T. Cox, Taranaki champion at AYaverley. The following grade matches will be played on baturday; B grade men, Wanganui East v. St. John’s Hill, at Wanganui East; AVanganui v. AVestmere, at AVanganui. B grade ladies, St. John’s Hill v. AVanganui No. 1, at St. John’s. , grade, AA anganui v. Wanganui East No. J, at Wanganui East. St. Joh.nY, v AVanganui East No. 2, at St. John's. _ If clubs cannot get together a. team they should let me know immediately. During my holiday I saw a little of the play at Napier v. Waijmkarau tournament and a little comment hcie will do no Harm. I should like to say first of all how lucky AVanganui tennis players are in having such splendid courts to play on, whether they are grass or asphalt. The courts at \ ictoria Park on St. John’s Hill are bettor than those at AVaipukarau, where quite four shuts out of ten hit the ground they skidded or vaisioi- or flew right and left from holes in the courts. Play at Napier was spasmodic and players were not pushed to play (o-o much, due no doubt to the small entry, but as far as tournament and ilr subsidiary managements are concerned Wanganui easily leads the field and that is tlh» opi iioii uf several well-known players. Tea arrangements, luncheons, court booking, accommodation and all other facilities are certainly better in this city than most other places. I should really like some of our first-class grumblers to play at some of these other tournaments and then an alteration of opinion would eventuate Do not be frightened hit. That appears to bo the trouble of most club players and in ronre of the receipt tournaments an adsencc of dash is noticeable. E. D. Andrews is a hittvr and in the opinion of many competent writers, he would be a world Ircatcr if hin feet 'lid not cause him such trouble. He certainly hits the ball on cither wing and with his kick service he is a dangerous player. His overhead work is his weakest department. As a winning spectacular rhot tho smash undoubtedly reigns supreme. It is certainly of greater value in doubles than in singles, and there are more opportunities for tiring it owing to the fact that more lobs have to be dealt with in the doubles game An out and out kill (a la Harry Cox) is the only effective reply to the lob, especially if it is an easy short, one. Beginners should practice smarhiag as an outright kill, not a placement, as it is far better practice. In playing a smash sve that the feet are always placed sideways to the net, with the left shoulder pointing to the net (for a right-handed player). The body weight should be on th-e right foot at the commencement of the stroke, and the ball is met slightly in front of the body at the full extent c-f arm and racket so that a complete follow through is obtained with arm, shoulders, and body, this ensuring rhythm and t-pccd. If the ball is timed too far in front of the body, and when it has. fallvn too low, the result is often a netted shot. On the other hand, if the ball is met too far behind the head, or even above it, it is generally lifted upwards and out of the court. Try making a smash with a flick of tho wrist. How many Wanganui players Ftudy the game at all? Very few, I should say. Yet there are text-books on strokeplay by Tilden, Alarshall, and others, and now lawn tennis as played by the champions has been produced in A. Alotion pictures c-f the world’s leading players are shown on every page amt articles by Ferry, Crawford, Shields, Tilden, Austin, Allison, Vmes, StoelTen, Parker, and others on some stroke arc particularly interesting. There i<- also a complete series of lessons fur beginners by J. Paret, former national indoor champion. Aiueh can be learned from studying the methods of stroke production by leading players, and even more can be learnt c-n court tactics, yet the bulk of the players muddle along as usual. Golfers and bridge, players are not frightened of consult ing text books. A\ hy should the tennis rank and file? The AVanganui residental champion chips will be played within two or three weeks and players should now get into form and train. M. L. Lampe owes much of his success to physical fitnevs and players cannut expect to win tournaments untrained, lhe tired player cannot produce his best and that is why so many of our local tops wilt under tournament pressure A tournament of 5-sct matoiies in place of the usual three will find movt of them short of the proverbial gallop. AVhy do tournament players spend so much time in changing Irom tennis flannels to suits or grey flannels after every game. Granted it is correct to have a ehower and a change of dry clothing, but why not change into tnc next set of tennis clothes and thus be ready to play when called on. Nowadays the announcing of a player s name is the signal for a scamper 1o the dressing room to change, and a consequent delay to tourney officials in getting matches on quickly. Sometimes I think it merely an attitude adopted by a few players who are of the opinion it is the mark of a champion to be continually changing and the result at delays are expected of good players. If there are any players of that opinion let them go to AVimblcdon where not five minutes’ grace is attained. Again, why do players not consult the court booking beard in front of the secretary’s office. If one knows that one is required next game than all these preparations can be tackted in leisurely fashion and in time. Could anything have looked ni<‘«r than the short skirts worn by the Misses Beverley, or could anyone be more readily eager to play at any time or on any court than Margaret Bev-

erlay, who has just turned 17. Personally I prefer the short skirts to shorts but either look attractive and they certainly allow for grace and speed on the court. Local girls please copy!