LAWN TENNIS.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19462, 29 December 1934, Page 16 (Supplement)

LAWN TENNIS.

PLAY AND PLAYERS, THE GAME IN WAIKATO. COMMENT AND CRITICISM. (By Umpire.) With the advent of the 'holiday season and clonsequent exodus of players from these parts the beaches and other resorts, -association and 'dub competitions are at a standstill, and activity on local 'courts is limited to practice games.' Always a lean period from the aspect olf ■competitive play, the last weeks pf December and most of January afford clubs a respite which is perhaps a doubtful blessing to many players. While it is recognised that the ranks of the game locally are much -depleted 'during -this period it seems a pity that a tournament of ■some kind -shlou'ld not be staged for the benefit of visitors and those remaining in the -town. A fixture run on a small scale would, I am sure, attract sufflclent entries to ensure its success, and the gap between the cessation and recommencement of local competitions Mould be lessened. It is too late now to make any move in this direction, tout the suggestion might be considered for next year.

A Strange Final. The final olf the men’s singles in the British covered-courts lawn tennis 'championships, at Queen’s Club, London, in which 11. W. Austin heat Jean Borotra, 6—2, 4—6, 6—o, 6—B, 6—2, was a strange ione. For the first three sets and until Halfway through the 'fourth set it was ragged. Borotra could do nothing right at first. In the early part 'of the second' set Austin was at -fault with his backhand, and Borotra led 5—2; a great light for the remainder of the set developed. The effort .to retain his lead in the -second set exhausted Borotra; lienee Austin’s winning of a love set. Austin led in the fourth set, lost his lead, and then won it again. Borotra summoned up all his resolution and won ■the set. By 'this time the 'match had Dost its raggedness. But Borotra was very tired, and in the last set Austin, coming on 'to first-class form, made him run all over the court. So B<orotra 'lost a championship which he had held for -six consecutive years and Which he had won seven 'times in all. Waikato Tournament. The decision of the Waikato Lawn Tennis Association to hold its annual championship and handicap tournament on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, January 30, 31 and February 1 and 2, appeals a.s a step in the ■right direction. For a long time there has been a move -on fool to have the ’fixture advanced, from Easter, and as that event falls late next year, and the prospect of unsettled weather is increased, it would apppar that the association is aiming to take advantage of the usual fine weather in January ■and February. The Rostrevor Street ■courts will provide the venue for the fixture, the entries for which will close with the secretary, Mr A. G. Ward, on January 26, nt 6 p.m. In all there will toe fourteen championship and. handicap events, the trophies including handsome cups for the men’s, ladies’, hoys’ and girls’ championship singles. Many well-known players have intimated their intention of competing, and it is possble that F. J. Perry, the world-famous British champion, will participate.

Speed of Tennis. The speed of Ihe game, that is. the amount of time a player has in which to make his shots is determined by the height of the bounce. The lower the bounce the faster the game. Thus it will toe seen at once that indioor tennis on wood, because its bounce is lowest, is the fastest. The fastest outdoor game is on grass, the slowest on dirt. Another factor in determining style of tennis played is the effect oif the court surface on the ball. The slightest bit of dirt or impediment, on a ball greatly affects it. On wood there is nothing, grass very little, on asphalt a great deal, and more on dirt or clay courts. A light ball must be top-spun ho keep il in play, while a heavy ball can be hit llal. Now visit ■most. local hard courts and you will notice that most players top-spin their shots and only (hose, who use frequent new bails can use the flat shot. A Parental Problem. “With growing lads one must think of their ’future,” said Ihe worried faiher. “Men who are M A.’s are -crowding out ihe honest worker on relief work. The market value of sharebrokers and accountants is two a penny, I advertised- for a man to dig my garden and a lawyer got it because he offered to throw in a will and sue my neighbour, whose hens ale Ihe seeds. But I have yet lo hear of a good tennis player on I lie No. 5 scheme. They are all managers of a racquet or lennis ball Ann. Tilden made £20.000 in the first two years of professional life. Vines mude nearly

that the first year. Perry has had offers of £IO,OOO. I have never met a bank manager who got that. Even those wise birds who sell glad rags bo women are not set so .pretty- However, I have yet to reach a decision on one point. I have resolved that my ■boys shall earn their living as tennis players, bill whether as amateurs or professionals I can’t decide.” “Why not?” I asked. “I can't' be sure which makes the most money.” Australian Championships.

Second only in importance to Wimbledon will be the Australian tennis championships beginning at Ivooyong on December 31. Judging by the quality and the international nature of the entries the event should prove not only the greatest in the history of Australian tennis, but the outstanding sporting attraction of the Centenary.

With the exception of Japan and the United States, leading exponents !o*f all tennis nations are competing, F. J. Perry and Miss Round (Britain), visiting internationals include Misses Dearman and Lyle and E. P. Hughes-(Brit-ain), V. G. Kirby, Malcolm, and Mrs Malcolm (South Africa), C. Bous,su3 and J. Brugnon (France), R. Menzel (Czechoslovakia), Steffani (Italy), and E. Maier (Spain). The eight seeded players in the singles, in order of merit, are:—Perry, ’Crawford, Menzel, Boussus, McGrath, Quist, Stefani, and KSrby. No one can forecast the result of the ments .singles, but the women’s event us said to be a foregone conclusion in favour of Miss Round. Miss Hartigan, it is expected, will find difficulty in reaching the final. Some Courtcraft Hints. Courtcraft is a subject that the average player knows nothing about. There are really two court positions for a singles player, and they are (1) About 3 feet behind the baseline in the centre of the court. This is the spot for a base line game; (2) about 6 to 8 feet back from the net and almost opposite the ball. This is the attacking net .position. If you are draw out of position by the opponent’s play, do not wait at the position from where you played the shot, but regain one of the two formations mentioned as rapidly as possible. The distance from the base line to about 10 feet from the net Is “no man’s land," and you may probably be caught by a shot at your feet, so never linger there. Never stand and watch your shot for by so doing you will be caught out of position by the return. Do your hard running while the ball Is in flight, so that you will not be hurried in your stroke after it bounces. Get to the ball as quickly as possible and take*your time in hitting it. Anticipate as much as possible.

Heavy Artillery. The net attack is the heavy artillery of tennis, and the strokes needed in that attack are the volley and smash. The laws of footwork for volleying are the same as for the ground strokes, but if time is insufficient to get the feet in position swing the body .so as to bring the shoulders into position. Volleys are of two classes: (1) The low volley, made from below the waist or (2) the high volley from the waist to the head. All low volleys are blocked or hit; but never “stroke” a volley. There is no follow through in a low volley and very little in a high one. In all volleys lock the wrist and stiffen it. The stroke should be crisp, snappy and decisive. The volleys may be slitoed or chopped., or else pushed hut not played with a/swing. Always .remember to get down to your volleys and keep the eye on a level with the ball, and remember —attack wil.ii your volleys anrl do not defend, only. Only go to the net in singles on a good lengthened ground shot, and in double* keep level with your partner, thus reducing any chances.

R. M-iki, noted Japanese lawn tennis player, who has been in England lor six years, has won many tournaments there, has played at Wimbledon in every one of the six seasons, and has captained the Japanese team in ’ the Davis Cup competition twice, is now on his way back to Japan. His father has called him back to settle down in the family business. * * * *

A visitor to Hamilton over the holiday period was George Brough, of Opotiki, formerly of Hamilton. Brough won the Hamilton Club’s singles title for several successive seasons, and has displayed a large measure of his old form in play at Opotiki this season- • • * •

Nigel Sharpe, the English lawn tennis player, has made a great comeback in England this year, and has proved himself inferior only to Perry and Austin on the year’s performances. Recently he accounted for the three Japanese Davis Cup players, and also won the. South of England title.

\ n English writer estimates that when G. P. Hughes has finished the present tour lie will have carried his racquets a matter of 330,000 miles. Similarly Perry must have an enormous “mileage" do his credit. The moral being: “Be a tennis player and see the world.” * # * * Enrique Maier, who has been the lawn tennis champion 'of Spain since 1929, and who has arrived in Australia. to compete in the Australian championships .in Melbourne, is probably the best-built, player of lawn' tennis'that Australians have seen. He stands Oft 2in and. has huge shoulders.

Writing on the subject of different types of courts, wood, sand, grass, etc., used for lawn tennis, 11. W. Austin says: “It is certainly no exaggeration to assert that, owing to this difference in the surface of the courts, almost every player, is at his best in his own country. Everywhere interpa tional’results go to prove this statement.”