Stucty Your Tennis Partner

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 37, 20 September 1923, Page 33

Stucty Your Tennis Partner

POINTS TO REMEMBER WHEN PLAYING DOUBLES.''

There can he little doubt that "doubles" is the most popular form of lawn tennis. Many players, however, who do quite well at the "singles" game, fail badly when called upon to perform with a partner.

The secret of success lies in commination with and a proper appreciation of your partner's strong and weak points. If some trouble is taken in coming to a complete understanding with the player you may he called upon to assist, there should be few of those periods of hesitation when the ball goes flying unchecked on its way; with two players standing still in their respective courts, each waiting lor the other to •'take" the shot.

When returning the service one of the most useful strokes in-doubles is the side-line drive. This requires cool, deliberate play, and results in the ball being sent down the chalk line at the side of the court, just out of reach of the server's partner.

it is particularly useful when you occupy the righthand court, as it passes the back-hand of your opponent, who is likely to be standing up at the net. Furthermore, this stroke prevents the player opposite you from keeping close to the centre of the net, and, by drawing him nearer and nearer to the extreme edge of his court, opens <ujp room for a ••cross-court" return.

If you are a right-handed player, the side-line drive should he made with the left shoulder pointed almost in the direction in which the ball will travel. By bringing your body well round you prevent any "pull"" on your racket, and although there is always the clanger that you may -slice" the ball too far, you will be safer than would be the case if you tried to drive in the ordinary manner. There is no need to use any great strength, for onco your effort has passed the partner of the player who is serving, there is little fear of a stroke of this description being returned.

The ••cross-court" return is a more natural shot If you have been successful in drawing your immediate opponent towards the side of the court, and consequently prevented the possibility of a cross-shot being "volleyed " you will do well to drive in the direction of the server's tot. Usually you will find that the taker of the initial stroke starts to move towards the centre of the base-line after serving, so that if your return pitches somewhere "ear the opposite corner, the server will have to pull up and go back before being in a position to cope with the stroke.

Avoiding Awkward Returns. If you wish to combat these effective returns, your own service should be directed towards the centre of the receiving court If you place your service near the centre-Una the only like y returns are the straight drive,down the centre, or a lob.

Your partner should .always have a chance to "kill" returns when you are serving, but if you make your first stroke towards your opponent's side-line, it is more than probable that the return shot will be out of reach of the player you are assisting. -.-■■ J When, two good volleyers are playing together , they should advance towards the net .in line whenever possible, but some arrangement should be made as to which of them should go back after lobs. It is useless for both partners to rush around the counter one stroke; and it is equally futile for .both- to remain .still.^T^J?;f,' (l - 0 - il( i (>n) .4: ?;