LAWN TENNIS.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15353, 29 September 1923, Page 16 (Supplement)

LAWN TENNIS.

JOTTINGB.

(By “Volley.”)

The Association has held its annual meeting and the governing body and the various clubs are swinging into line with the preparations for the new season’s play. There promises to be a very large accession to the strength of the clubs during the new term and the progress the game is making in the Waikato should be extended in a prominent degree. Is it true, asks “American Lawn Tennis,” that a.n unquestioned and unquestionable supremacy of one country Is not good for the development of the game? Since the late ’7o’s, when the game began Its vogue in England, until to-day three countries have been supreme in lawn tennis. They are, in Davis Cup order, United States, British Isles, and Australasia. The periods of supremacy sometimes overlapped and Intermingled. Speaking generally, British Isles was supreme until 1907, with periods of challenge by United Stales in 1900 and 1902; it was then Australasia’s turn, and her

flag flew until 1912, when she struck it to the British Isles. Her tenure, and that of the United States, which followed, was for one year only; while Australasia was again supreme in 1914. Shortly after the end of the war the United Stales overcame Australasia and the British Isles, and for three years has been easily first. Among the golden rules the successful tennis teacher must have in the front of his head and on the tip of his tongue (writes A. E. Crawley) are: (1) Short swing-back for the forehand drive; (2) no swing-back for volleys other than the smash and drive volley; (3) no stance for any stroke except servioe, and that itself is a “moving” stance; (4) run through the drive, carrying the ball rather than hitting it; (5) begin every stroke with a bent arm; (6) watch the ball till the racket has met It.

When giving a lesson I advise variety. There is such a thing as ever-concentration; if the coach or the pupil decide to spend half-an-hour at one stroke, attention becomes fatigued long before the half-hour is up, and any practice after that is harmful, fatiguing to both nerves and muscles. The practice at a particular stroke should be some ten minutes; the stroke should be played for a few minutes quietly and slowly; it should then be accelerated, and at its hardest and speediest when the ten minutes are up. Then stop it; rest awhile and go on to another. Lead up to a culmination; then you get a habit-result firmly instituted. Do not hurry or worry the pupil at first; do not do it ever; just accelerate him at the end.

In some respects Tilden’s play at Skokie was a revelation (quotes “American Lawn Tennis”). In his doubles match with Wiener against Hayes and Westbrook he displayed almost superhuman tennis. Never does he seem more keen to win a maten than when playing with some boy. It may seem rash to say so, but I honestly believe he tries harder in such a match than he does in the National Championship. Such concentration, gritting of teeth and tearing all over the court I have never seen before. Single-handed he is able to hold his own with the best teams in the West. Marvellous speed of foot and uncanny anticipation were the factors which stood out most of all in his game. That Alonso is a great player there is no denying. He is spectacular in ihe extreme, one who catches the eye and pleases the gallery. He has a tremendqus amount of energy and uses every ounce- of it in every rally. For fluency of strokes he stands almost second to none. , His backhand is a beauty; hds forehand, at times, devastating. He has all the shots in the game. His weakness seems xo be in smashing and serving, although neither is pronounced. That he is a very fine sportsman, was amply proven at Skokie, when he refused to take a victory from Tilden unless it was clean cut, even to the last point. .