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
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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