LAWN TENNIS NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 288, 6 December 1939, Page 4

LAWN TENNIS NOTES

WANGANUI OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP THE NEW YEAR FIXTURE (By A, N. Campbell).

The Wanganui championships will be held on the Wanganui courts on January 1 to 4 inclusive, and entries close on the previous Wednesday, December 27. This New Year fixture is always a very popular one and the coming event should not be affected by war conditions. With tennis increasing in popularity this season a tennis tournament offers a cheap means for a holiday and it is anticipated that entries will be large. Heavy showers again caused all tennis to be abandoned last Saturday, but after intermittent showers on the following day the afternoon was fine enough to allow tennis to take place. All club events have been greatly interfered with due to the weather, and it is doubtful whether first and second round games will be finished before Christmas.

The newly formed A team at Wanganui East met St. John's on the former club's courts, and suffered defeat by the score of 15 matches to one, Mrs. L, Tiflens accounting for Miss Fitches. Strangely although the only match won was by a woman, the men gave an excellent account of themselves and most fixtures went to three sets. Wanganui East sportingly entered in the A grade this year, but the women were definitely weak and not up to good B grade. However, the only way to improve one’s game is by practice, and match play, and no doubt the experience gained will not be forgotten. I would suggest that more v/anganui East players participate in the New Year, St. John’s, and Residential Championsnips, and so gain match play practice. Ordinary club tennis is not sufficient to extend a player’s capabilities and many a good ciub performer looks a veritable hack in open company, Take, for example, Foster, Mailman, Pidwill and Foote, of the Minor Association. Once they commenced tournament play their games improved beyond recognition. Their stroke equipment was enlarged and they gained match experience and match temperament to the point that they have represented the W.L.T.A. in provincial fixtures.

Remarks made by one club official on the merits of another club's courts have caused a little heart burning recently, especially as the said remarks were published. Perhaps the writer did not mean to state that his club’s courts were better, but that is how it read and as his club were guests of the other club, it was not very tactful. Players should remember that all grass courts have been in poor condition up to the present owing to lack of rain, but now that plenty of that substance has fallen, all grass surfaces have shown the beneiit of rolling. Of course some clubs have been luckier than others in respect to their courts, but none are perfect by any means. The same writer rather added insult to injury by remarking that only three courts were reserved for matches out of six. Personally I consider this ample and if those engaged in inter-club events only commenced play at 1.3 U on match days instead of roiling up any old time events would be finished on time. Clubs are very jealous about their own reputations and it behoves officials to tread warily in criticising even though remarks are not intended derogatively, but in a constructive sense.

There is a definite shortage of tennis balls and I would like to warn players against being extravagant in using new balls. Next January will see stocks practically exhausted unless something drastic happens in the meantime and although we do not want to see players using balls that are probably worn down to the rubber

cover, balls can be used carefully. When dirty wash them with lujx and hot water and dry them in tne sun This will not spoil the nap nor the weight, and the balls will definitely last longer. It is the wearing of the felt nap that causes a ball io Jose weight, but if the nap can be maintained no danger is done. The New Zealand Championships are to be held in Wellington from February 10 to 17 inclusive. This is later than usual and a more desirable time than the New Year, which is always far too early to allow players, to get into form. The season’s title meeting coincides with the holding ol the Centennial Exhibition, and should be a most attractive fixture. It is hoped then John Bromwich will be present, and an Australian ladies’ team consisting of Misses Wynne, Coyne, Hardcastle and Mrs, Hopman has definitely been promised by the Australian L.T.A. This should be an added attraction to the tournament and play of a high standard will be witnessed.

One of Wanganui’s leading women players was complaining recently that she found difficulty in returning a service that curled off the ground. The trouble was she was playing the service when it was dropping and had to lift the ball too much, and at tlie time of impact the curl was most pronounced. In playing a high bouncing or kicking service, stand up as close to the service line as possible and hit it on the top of the bounce. Remember a kicking service is never a fast one, and that the spin of the ball increases as it leaves the ground. Stand in as close as possible and hit it down and you will find it much easier. Try and hit all shots on the top of the bounce and remember that if you do you get more speed in -Dur return. To hit the dropping ball means that the ball has to be hit up and if you try for too much speed you stand an excellent chance of hitting it out.