LAWN TENNIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 249, 21 October 1936, Page 4

LAWN TENNIS

EASTERN CLUE : COMMENTS ON’ THE PLAYERS I I (By A. N. Campbell, Pro., W.L.T.A.) Although the state of the courts were not all that could be desired after so much rain, the Wanganui East Club opened its season on Saturday, and a lew games were played. The grounds were in excellent orcier and reflected great credit on the committee and the many willing helpers who did so much work on them. This popular club is certain to experience a successful season and it is to be hoped that the weather will do its utmost to assist. With Mr. M. L. Lampe I visited the Eastern Club on Sunday and had many enjoyable games with the members. This club was the leading one in last' season's minor association competitions, and the standard of play I saw is very high. As is usual in many small clubs there is a great deal of unorthodoxy in stroke production, and many had faults that can easily be rectified. By this I mean that footwork is not studied at all, the stroking of the ball is made much more difficult in consequence. Too many players serve with their right foot forward instead of the left foot. This cramps the style of the server ! and it is impossible for him to be able to stand sideways to the net for his delivery. In this position the server will not be able to change direction of service, and pace will be lacking. Then too, in the playing of grouna strokes players are apt to be square on to the net Instead of sideways, and the ball Is pushed rather than stroked. In volleying I noticed that many played this stroke with a loose wrist and a swing instead of a firm wrist and a downward chop action. Nevertheless the players of this club play exceedingly well and if those who have any of these faults practise hard and eradicate them it will improve their play tremendously. Miss Bishop and Miss Skelton, the Nos. 1 and 2 respectively, possess very hard forcing forehands, and Miss Bishop has an excellent backhand drive with plenty of pace. Miss Skelton would be well advised to practise her service and volley, as these are his two weaknesses. Footwork of each of these girls is not of the best but that will come with proper practice. I think that if these girls had the necessary hard play and proper coaching they would be to the fore in Wanganui tennis and would be considered for representative honours. S. Ambrose and H. Bishop had an interesting ladder match at Eastern during the week-end and the former won 9—6. The play of both was patchy and each missed many sitters, but it was a fast game and keenly contested. Perhaps it is rather early in the season to play strenuous ladder matches, but the spirit of kcenn’ess is so developed in this club that it is a pleasure to watch members battling for ladder positions so soon in the season.

L. Gould, Eastern’s No. 1, plays a forceful game and is not scared of his backhand, but in doubles he is apt to neglect to lob and relies a little too much on driving his net opponents out of position. Two good volleyers can withstand any amount of bombardment and will usually cut olf the severest drives for placements. I noticed in all my doubles games that Eastern players did not lob much and is a department of the game that would be developed. Gould is ranked high up on the minor association ladder and when he strikes form he will be a difficult man to displace.

Dennison is a young player with a future, and he has an easy style and a good knowledge of the game. He plays his shots easily, but is apt to lack self confidence and this affects his game at times. However, he is under 20 and his game can improve rapidly and I am sure it will do so.

Two veterans and two mainstays of the club are Messrs. Ginn and Robson. As tennis players of an older school they produce results rather than orthodox style, but their play is sound in all departments. These two have done a great deal to encourage younger players and many of the latter owe their present position to these enthusiasts.

You young players who are anxious to improve your game take a warning before it is too late. Wanganui is a keen tennis centre and in every club you will probably meet some real enthusiast whose enthusiasm for the game is greater than his knowledge of stroke production, grips, and swings. Now this person will seize on any of you young players to give you a hard game. This is excellent and you ' enjoy yourself and are grateful for his interest. When, however he starts to tell you how you should hold your racket and use some special shot shot don’t follow him blindly. Seek advice from some of the leading players or myself and check up on his advice, because what grip and particular stroke suits his style may not suit yours and before you know what is happening your tennis is being ruined by a misguided enthusiast.

A Wellingtonian going home shortly before midnight on Friday, October 2, noticed a light burning in the pavilion of a suburban tennis club. He was curious, and investigated. He peered through a pavilion window. Inside there were a dozen men playing mah jongg and bridge. Each man looked strained and kept watching the clock with feverish impatience. And as the club chronometer hollowly rang the midnight hour, the place became chaos, with every man in the room making flying tackles at a box beneath a curious board on the wall. And, believe it or not, he was told the ladder challenge opened at midnight and those present were putting in challenges. That suburban club is unique. Its name is secret, but if you are curious the club has 47 male members. Last season they played a total of 245 ladder matches and this year, weather permitting, that number will be exceeded. Even now, ladder challenges for the season have poured in and a handicap singles event has attracted 45 of the 47 males of the club and 28 and the 33 women. Wanganui players please wake up! Upon my reappointment as professional to the Wanganui Lawn Tennis Association I should like to thank all

clubs for their support accorded me last season for this kindness in extending to me the privileges and hospitality of their courts. To those players with whom I have played in so many friendly games I express my thanks and the hope that the games gave them as much pleasure as they did me. I noticed lately in watching several players in doubles action that they do not follow the most important axiom of that department of the game, viz., return of service. Never try and score off a service in doubles by wild, blind hitting. Return of service is the most outstanding stroke fo ■ it opens up the game and allows attack to be centred upon certain plans. How often do you see a young players wildly endeavour to return the service by a slashing drive that mostly finds the net, the back fence or an opponent’s waiting racket. Always try and return the service across court away from the man at the net and occasionally lob to vary tactics but don’t develop into a hit and miss artist. When Henri Cochet was in Wanganui last February I do not think he made a single error in returning an opponent’s service and always played it across court low and without much speed. I believe clubs are anxious for me to give class lessons this season. This I am pleased to do if the clubs concerned will ask me and suggest a date. In local clubs there are several promising young players who could do with hard singles play and this I am prepared to do villingiy if club captains or secretaries are prepared to n< minate these players and arrange with me to visit clubs for the purpose In Hun’:?rville, Mr. Gordon, a promising youngster who perfotmed with distinction at the last Wanganui junior championship and the North Island championship tourney. He has been nominated by the Huntervilie Club for the New Zealand junior titles at Timaru at Christmas and the W.L.T.A. is to be asked to put his name before the New Zealand Association with a request that the parent body, under its new system, pay halt his expenses to the meeting. The New Zealand Association is doing this to encourage junior tennis in the country and it is a wise decision. Early next month I have offered to visit Huntervilie and give Gordon a hard day’s practice and I hope he. will later visit Wanganui to be tuned up for the tournament.