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TENNIS
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Better Tennis
The Fundamentals Of Tennis
I trust this
initial effort of mine in the world of letters will find
a place among both novices and experts in the tennis
world. I am striving to interest the student of the game
by a somewhat prolonged discussion of match play, which
I trust will shed a new light on the game.
May I turn to the novice at my opening and speak of
certain matters which are second nature to the skilled
player?
The best tennis equipment is not too good for the
beginner who seeks really to succeed. It is a saving in
the end, as good quality material so far outlasts poor.
Always dress in tennis clothes when engaging in tennis.
The question of choosing a racquet is a much more
serious matter. I do not advocate forcing a certain
racquet upon any player. All the standard makes are
excellent. It is in weight, balance, and size of handle
that the real value of a racquet frame depends, while
good stringing is, essential to obtain the best results.
After you have acquired your racquet, make a firm
resolve to use good tennis balls, as a regular bounce is
a great aid to advancement, while a "dead" ball is no
practice at all.
If you really desire to succeed at the game and advance
rapidly, I strongly urge you to see all the good tennis
you can. Study the play of the leading players and
strive to copy their strokes. Read all the tennis
instruction books you can find. They are a great
assistance.
More tennis can be learned off the court, in the study
of theory, and in watching the best players in action,
than can ever be learned in actual play. I do not mean
miss opportunities to play. Far from it. Play whenever
possible, but strive when playing to put in practice the
theories you have read or the strokes you have watched.
Never be discouraged at slow progress. The trick over
some stroke you have worked over for weeks
unsuccessfully will suddenly come to you when least
expected. Tennis players are the product of hard work.
Very few are born geniuses at the game.
Tennis is a game that pays you dividends all your life.
A tennis racquet is a letter of introduction in any
town. The brotherhood of the game is universal, for none
but a good sportsman can succeed in the game for any
lengthy period. Tennis provides relaxation, excitement,
exercise, and pure enjoyment to the man who is tied hard
and fast to his business until late afternoon. Age is
not a drawback. The tennis players of the world wrote a
magnificent page in the history of the World War. No
branch of sport sent more men to the colours from every
country in the world than tennis, and these men returned
with glory or paid the supreme sacrifice on the field of
honour.
The following order of development produces the quickest
and most lasting results:
1. Concentration on the game.
2. Keep the eye on the ball.
3. Foot-work and weight-control.
4. Strokes.
5. Court position.
6. Court generalship or match play.
7. Tennis psychology.
concentration.
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Tennis is played primarily with the mind. The most
perfect racquet technique in the world will not suffice
if the directing mind is wandering. There are many
causes of a wandering mind in a tennis match. The chief
one is lack of interest in the game. No one should play
tennis with an idea of real success unless he cares
sufficiently about the game to be willing to do the
drudgery necessary in learning the game correctly. Give
it up at once unless you are willing to work. Conditions
of play or the noises in the gallery often confuse and
bewilder experienced match-players playing under new
surroundings. Complete concentration on the matter in
hand is the only cure for a wandering mind, and the
sooner the lesson is learned the more rapid the
improvement of the player.
The surest way to hold a match in mind is to play for
every set, every game in the set, every point in the
game and, finally, every shot in the point. A set is
merely a conglomeration of made and missed shots, and
the man who does not miss is the ultimate victor.
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