LAWN TENNIS.

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14776, 15 October 1921, Page 14 (Supplement)

LAWN TENNIS.

HINTS TO BEGINNERS. Mr J. G. Ritchie, the famous player, gives the following hints for beginners :—• Lawn tennis, like most other games, requires a certain amount of outfit befere one starts to play. Light canvas shoes of the gynma ■ stum variety with scored soles arc gi od, otherwise those with the very pi, rest rubber are best. They are eipensive, but do not slip on grass, and arc qually good for other surfaces. Composition rubber is bad; anything b.kcly to slip is to be guarded against.

Then there is the choice of a racquet; this is a matter of individual taste. Choose one that feels comfortable in the hand. For a woman something about 13 or 13£oz is to be recommended; for a man 14 to 14Joz. Get your friends to let you try theirs for a few strokes, find the one that appears to suit you best, and buy one like lit. The "balance" of the racquet — which means the distribution of weight in it—is generally preferred "even"—that is to say with the weight evenly distributed; some people like it a little heavy in the head, others the reverse. 1 recommend that the handle, whatever its shape, should be on the small side — large ones are highly conducive to tennis elbow.

Racquets should be strung as "tight as a drum," and the gut shouid preferably be on the thin slide, as it gives more driving power. In racquets, as in eyerything else in connection with the game, buy the best, and eschew cheap stuff like the plague. The same rule applies to lawn tennis balls.

For the average person ah excellent way to commence, 'if it can be afforded, is to employ a really good professional to teach how to hold the. racquet correctly, make forehand and backhand strokes and to volley. In the old days it was practically impossible to get the tuition without going to the club which employed a professional, but there are now, at any rate 'in London, two or three schools for teaching the game.

It is essential in any case to join 3 club for practice, and if you have somn good players among your friends and they do not mind veing victimised, you • _

may get “tips” about the game that will enable the professional's tuition to be dispensed with. It is an (important thing for the beginner to know the correct grips for forehand and backhand and to learn strokes in good style, no matter how “individuality” may afterwards develop these strokes. I am a strong advocate for the bo - ginner, as soon as he knows something about the game, developing his strokes on Ms own lines, so to speak—but to start correctly is most important. One must walk before one can run. Simple strokes off the ground should be mastered before volleying is essayed. Cultivate hard hitting in service and otherwise. All-round excellence is to be preferred to superexcellence tin some special department. Incessant practice with better players is one thing that will most quickly bring the beginner on after the rudiments have been mastered.