LAWN TENNIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 255, 27 October 1937, Page 4

LAWN TENNIS

TFIE SEASON UNDER WAY

(By

A. N. Campbell.)

On Saturday the Wanganui Lawn Tennis Club will open the season and a Yankee tourney will be held at which members of all clubs are invited to attend. The ten grass courts will be used and indications point to a keen and successful season. This club intends catering more for junior members this year and the secretary, Mr. N. D. Cullen, will be pleased to give any information on the subject.

The weather during the week-end was disappointing, to say the-least of it. Saturday was tine, Sunday wet and cold, and Monday fortunately cleared sufficiently to allow play on hard courts during the afternoon. The wind was very tricky and playing at St. John’s I was amazed at its vagaries. It never seemed to blow from the same quarter and it was changeable to the extreme. At times the ball seemed to be suspended in midair and then it would dip and dive and swerve in all directions. However, the tennis was most enjoyable and those present did not mind the conditions.

I would suggest that all you men have a thorough overhaul of your tennis kit. First of all clean up your racket. Methylated spirits applied on a rag will remove all dirt and ugly scars will be diminished. Place adhesive tape around the top and this will prevent many a scar and marking on hard courts when the racket comes into contact with the ground. Next your shoes. After scrubbing them with a nail brush and hot water clean them with bianco or some other white cleaner. You will probably find that the uppers become rather hard so apply a coating of soap to the inside of the canvas and the sole. Most important of all are your sox. Always get a larger size than necessary for they have a disagreeable habit of shrinking badly. If possible apply oil or common washing soap to the sole of the feet before a long day’s tennis and it certainly lengthens the life of woollen sox. Never wear cotton or silk sox. Viyella or other such brands give most satisfaction. Next your shirts. The day of the silk or linen shirt for tennis is done and the best is the woollen tennis singlet. These do not get cold after a game and chills are thereby avoided to a great extent. These tennis singlets should not be cotton and I can recommend a Morley or Canterbury shirt, preferably with short sleeves. A woollen pull-over is essential and should be donned after any game. A woollen or linen scarf is also handy for it is best to cool off slowly and colds are a nuisance, especially to a tennis player. Trouserings call for many designs. Longs, long shorts or shot longs or just shorts (the description is mine) may be seen daily on the courts but I prefer longs and the new Viyella material is the finest I have ever seen. It does not crease unduly, is warm, yet cool, stands a great deal of wear and tear and it looks well. If your inclinations tend towards shorts then get tailored shorts and do not cut down an old pair. Your tennis bag should also contain adhesive tape, which is of use on a racket grip and a boon also to torn shoes or clothes and essential for cuts and sprains. You will also find a shoe horn assists the changing of shoes when you feel tired and your feet are swollen. Other etceteras which are handy include a few sugar lumps to suck if you get that dry feeling in the mouth when playing a hard game, and they are really sustaining, too. In conclusion, don’t forget a valet to carry out all these instructions for I should say most of us are too lazy to do it ourselves.

An interesting match was played at St. John’s on Saturday when Miss O. Glover defeated her sister, Miss I. Glover, for a place on the ladder. The match was rather drawn out and was responsible for long rallies, but these girls battled hard and never despaired of a point until the ball was out of play. Miss I. Glover is the better player, 1 consider, but each has too few strokes and monotonous rallies often eventuate. If they practised net play their games would brighten up considerably and wSuld improve,

The results of the junior tennis tourney will appear in the "Chron- ! ce , “ soon as they have been handed over by those in charge of the various centres of play. The tournament was a financial success and was m charge of Mr. Ward, of the Wanganui East School, who was assisted by members of school staffs.

Displays of temper upon the courts are very rare, fortunately. Yet there are two players I know who should learn to control themselves and not give vent to their feelings. One is a fairly good performer, the other is fair only. Yet their pettiness is so openly displayed as to make them a aughing stock, strictly speaking, they should be warned by the officials o£ the club that such conduct cannot be tolerated.