GIFT OF H nt OVERHEAD SERVICE. Just before the impact, weight still on right foot See page 21. TENNIS FOR GIRLS BY MIRIAM HALL SAN FRANCISCO A. M. ROBERTSON 1914 Copyright, 1914 by A. M. ROBERTSON TO MARION JONES FARQUHAR FORMER UNITED STATES NATIONAL CHAMPION AND ALWAYS A KEEN STUDENT OF THE THEORY OF TENNIS, GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT IS MADE FOR MANY IDEAS HERE EXPRESSED. ACKNOWLEDG- MENT IS DUE ALSO TO DR. SUMNER HARDY, PRESIDENT OF THE PACIFIC STATES LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION AND FORMER PACIFIC COAST CHAMPION; ALSO, TO MAURICE E. MCLOUGHLIN, UNITED STATES NATIONAL CHAMPION IN SINGLES AND DOUBLES, ALL OF WHOM HAVE HELPED AND ENCOURAGED BY FRIENDLY CRITICISM AND SUGGESTION 272354 CONTENTS PAGE How TO DRESS 8 CHOICE OF RACQUET 9 GRIP FOR FOREHAND 9 GRIP FOR BACKHAND 10 POSITIONS ON THE COURT 13 FORM 14 SERVICE The Straight Overhead 20 The "Reverse" Twist 22 GROUND STROKES The Drop-stroke or Drive 25 The Chop 28 The Cut 32 The Lob 32 The Half- Volley 33 VOLLEYS The Low Volley 34 The Smash 37 RECEIVING THE SERVICE 38 SINGLES 39 GIRLS' DOUBLES 44 MIXED DOUBLES 50 TACTICS AND GENERALSHIP 52 ETHICAL AND PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR MATCH PLAY 57 TENNIS FOR GIRLS The following suggestions presuppose a working knowledge of the rudiments of Lawn Tennis. They have particularly in view the Girl aspirant for tennis honors, and are largely the outcome of experiences in coaching the game. Tennis literature, so far as known, has been for men, and is often found ss, in various ways, to be practically wrong for girls. It is, therefore, hoped that this work will supply a long-felt want, and find a welcome with all girl tennis players. HOW TO DRESS Clothing, light of weight, should be worn, enabling one to move freely. There should be no restriction at the neck, and as little as possible at the waist. To further this, it is wise to substitute for the corset, some good corded waist, or a boned bras- siere, the stockings to be supported from the waist or shoulders. The use of the round garter is worse than foolishit is often dangerous, leading to the formation of var- icose veins. The sleeves should not extend below the elbows and the skirt should be wide enough to permit of a broad lunge and not longer than five inches from the ground. The best shoe is of soft canvas with a flexible, not too heavy, rubber sole. If there is a tendency toward fallen arches, a light-weight leather support should be worn inside the tennis shoe. CHOICE OF RACQUET The girl of average strength and develop- ment should use a 13^ ounce racquet, having a handle of 5)4 inches in circum- ference. The min'mum weight should be 13 ounces; if the hand is very small, a 5- inch handle is suitable. Get a good rac- quet one that will cost five dollars, or more. Experiment as to how it swings in making a stroke, to judge if it is too heavy or too light in the head. GRIP FOR FOREHAND (Strokes taken on the Rig/if.) The forehand drive is an indispensable feature of the game, and many young play- ers find it very difficult, or even impossible, because they have acquired a defective grip. The V., formed by the thumb and forefinger, should strike the line, nearest the palm, made by the junction of the dark and light wood of the racquet. In other words, have the face of the racquet meet the ball, or be related to the arm, just as the palm of the hand would be, if used to hit the ball. The base of the hand should rest on the leather, but the end of the little finger should be about one inch further up, the thumb and first and second fingers, pointing diagonally toward the racquet head. The forefinger should never lie straight out on the handle, but the first and second fingers, being separated from the others, act as a prop or brace, and lend firmness in making the stroke. GRIP FOR BACKHAND (Strokes taken on the Left.) It is not well to play both forehand and backhand strokes with the same grip. Almost all players make a slight change; this is not difficult to learn, and soon be- comes perfectly mechanical. The thumb 10 THE OVERHEAD SERVICE. Start of swing, weight on the right foot. Dotted line, in all cases, indicates the course of tip of racket. See page 21. joint should be shifted to rest on the broad side of the racquet, and it is well to let the thumb lie along the handle, rather than wrapped around it. The thumb, in this grip, acts as the prop. The little ringer should lie against the leather for its entire length, but the first and second fingers may be slightly separated, which gives support to the upper edge of the racquet. POSITIONS ON THE COURT One should never assume a relaxed atti- tude on the court. While waiting for the ball, the feet should be apart, the knees slightly flexed, and the weight firmly on the balls of the feet. The racquet should be held in front of the body, with the left hand supporting it at the throat. This is the best position from which to start all strokes ; the muscles of the right wrist are spared by it, the change to backhand is made easier, and with the racquet carried in this way one can run 13 K y HI more freely. The racquet should be re- turned to this position after every stroke, and not released, until the time for the next stroke arrives, when the left hand starts it on its swing. The position of the player, with reference to the court, is a matter of highest impor- tance. The place for volleying is two or three yards from the net. The place to stand for a ground stroke is at the base- line or behind it. One should never stand between the base and service lines. A player has to go there, of course, to return the ball, but the first thought, afterwards, should be to go forward to the volleying-point, or back, where the ball can be properly taken off the ground ; between the lines, one is in danger, and rarely in position for any stroke. FORM The best results come from good form- that is, when strokes are made in the right way. Some players appear to work hard, 14 while others use far less energy and get better results. Skilful foot work is one of the secrets. One should know with which foot to lunge, for it is imperative that weight be thrown on the ball at the moment of impact. Learn how to get into the best position, and time a run so that a lunge with the proper foot is made when the ball is struck. So many players cover court very quickly, and then, when making the stroke, let the body block their swing by getting too close to the ball. A given stroke should be taken as nearly as possi- ble in the same way, each time with the same kind of swing and position of body. Momentum of the racquet has much more to do with the speed of the ball than mere force. The racquet should be carried back slowly, started forward a little faster, and the greatest speed reached at the mo- ment of impact. The wrist is a far more important feature than many young players realize. Notice the final snap of the wrist of an expert 15 throwing a baseball; direction and added speed are the results. In tennis, the wrist should be firm, well controlled and used to give final crispness to the stroke. Should a player have a well established and accurate stroke which is individual, and not along conventional lines, judg- ment must be used as to its warranting further development. A tennis coach, or expert, should be asked to pass opinion on its form and effectiveness. If it is not absolutely bad form, it might be improved gradually, but if it is really bad, it should be learned over again, even though this may mean a temporary setback. Perfect form gives much leaway for individuality. When the racquet strikes the ball at just the right place, it gives a clear ring quite different from the sound when hit too near the tip. With every stroke the racquet should pass slightly across the surface of the ball, while still in contact with it, but at the moment of the greatest force that is, when leaving the racquet, the ball should 16 THE OVERHEAD SERVICE. Moment of impact, the weight thrown onto the left foot. See page 21. be exactly in the center; to allow for this final drag, the initial contact should be at a point nearer the throat. The eye should be kept on the ball from start to finish of the stroke, the mind made up, beforehand, where the ball is to be placed, and what kind of stroke used, and then not changed, even though the oppo- nent gives indication of anticipating it. The racquet should be allowed its full swing after hitting the ball, and then dropped lightly into the support of the left hand. Remember, that the left hand has more to do than just to hold balls and toss them; it supports the racquet between strokes and starts it on its swing. The principle of the "follow- through" of golf strokes applies in tennis as well, and is important to keep in mind. One should go back far enough, before starting a stroke, to be able to come for- ward again when striking the ball. A ball that has bounded should be hit, either as it poises in the air before descending, or as 19 it drops, and not as it is rising from the ground. The Half-Volley, or 'Tick-Up, is the only exception to this rule. THE SERVICE OVERHEAD DELIVERY To assist in bringing more wrist and elbow into the downward pull, some players slightly alter the grip for the Service; this is perfectly proper, though not essential. Place the left foot a little behind the base-line, and, as a general rule, near the center for Singles, and at the junction of the base and single court lines, for Doubles. Experience, however, teaches that to occa- sionally vary this position, diversifies the Service, and gives the adversary less oppor- tunity to anticipate the angle of play. The right foot should be about two feet behind the line and the body turned at an angle to the court, the left shoulder being the nearer, so that the Service may be delivered some- 20 what over the left shoulder. The weight is on the right foot as the racquet swings up and is transferred to the left as the ball is struck. The ball should be tossed to such a height that, as it poises in the air just before descending, the racquet will come on top of it when the arm is fully extended. Simultaneously, the racquet is raised, with the edge nearest the thumb uppermost, and then turned, so that its face is coming down at the moment of im- pact. This makes the racquet head de- scribe a circle without any unnecessary swing. Remember, that it is important to strike the ball when it is as high in the air as possible, the elbow being well up and the arm practically straight when the racquet meets the ball. At the same time snap the wrist quickly downward. A Service, delivered at the height of the shoulder seems easier for most beginners. It is effective because the ball bounds very little. There are two arguments against it, however, viz. : to insure placing the 21 ball in court one must stand away from the center, a decided handicap in Singles, because too much court is exposed, and further, it is not as readily varied as the straight overhead delivery. THE REVERSE TWIST To serve the Reverse, it is necessary to change the grip, so that the racquet may be flat as it meets the ball the V. being shifted toward the broad side of the handle. The racquet passes in front of the face, and across the ball from right to left, which causes the ball to bound toward the oppon- ent's backhand. The Reverse is a very effective Service, and should be developed. Men follow the Service up to the net, but this, for a girl is not advisable, as she cannot serve a severe enough ball, nor is her stride sufficiently long and free to carry her to the volleying-point in time to take command. In a match game this play is also too wearing on a girl to be worth attempting. 22 FOREHAND DRIVE, taken at the height of the knee. The swing back before the impact, weight on the right foot. See page 27. A very fast Service is an exertion, and every girl must decide for herself how much energy she can afford to expend on it. A deep, well placed Serve of fair speed is almost as effective, unless one intends fol- lowing it to the net. The most important point is, to get the first Serve in. A "good enough" first Service that strikes in court is better than a "wonder," now and then. The second Service should not be too great a contrast in speed; should be deep in the court and usually to the back- hand. GROUND STROKES This term applies to a ball which has bounded; there are five classes of Ground Strokes the Underhand Drop-Stroke or Drive, the Chop, the Cut, the Lob, and the Half-Volley. THE DROP-STROKE OR DRIVE If a ball is taken high, a more aggressive stroke can be made, because of the down- 25 ward angle, but the ball does not always bound sufficiently to play it overhand, so an Underhand Drop- Stroke or Drive is indispensable to one's game. When taken on the Forehand, the weight is on the right foot before the stroke, and a good lunge must be made to the left foot, as the ball is struck, as all the weight possible should be put onto the ball. Much can be said for each side of the question, as to whether it is better to play the Forehand Drive when the ball is at the waist-line, or at the height of the knee; if taken at the waist-line, the racquet must be horizontal, and the ball hit at arm's length at the side. This method requires an exceptionally strong back and arm, but when well executed produces a very swift, fast dropping ball. One should learn to play both ways, as there are times when it is of great value to play a Drop-Stroke on a ball at the top of its bound. When inside the service lines it is better than to let the ball drop to the 26 height of the knee, which would likely re- sult in its going out or into the net. Also, when one wants to play a shallow fast dropping ball for the purpose of passing a volley er. Used in these ways, the stroke does not demand a long carry, and, there- fore, takes no great strength. Balls which do not bound as high as the waist or are below that point, when the player reaches them, should be allowed to drop to the height of the knee. The ball is hit nearer the body than in the waist-line stroke, and in front, and to the right of the right foot. The arm and racquet should be first extended, full length behind the body, with no unnecessary swing in transit. The ball is then met with a diagonal sweep upwards and across the body, the upper edge of the racquet leading, the stroke finishing with a " follow- through" over the left shoulder. This action is similar to brushing the ball, and accompanied by a lunge to the left foot imparts a spin which keeps the ball from sailing and 27 makes it drop rapidly after passing the net. The Backhand Drive is much more diffi- cult and rather exceptional. Usually in making a plain underhand return on the backhand, the ball should be allowed to drop to within a foot of the ground and then struck with a diagonal sweep, opposite in its direction, from the forehand Drive, finishing with a "follow through" over the right shoulder. A lunge should be made to the right foot that will bring it in front of the left, and the ball is taken at the left of the right foot. Should the ball strike in a line to the side, or to the rear of the player, the back is almost turned to the net. One should also learn to play the backhand at different heights. THE CHOP This stroke is a sharp downward blow which puts a great deal of twist onto the ball; it derives its name from being 28 FOREHAND DRIVE. At moment of impact, just before the "brush.'' eight transferred by a lunge to the left foot. Note jog in dotted line Weigh. , ndicating " crush"; also note position of ball at initial point of contact Note grip for Forehand. See page 27. somewhat like chopping with a hatchet. When taken at a point higher than the waist, the racquet passes diagonally across the ball from right to left; the racquet should be held very firmly and the wrist snapped to give final crispness to the stroke. The Chop may be executed also when the ball is at the height of the waist; the racquet in this case should be horizontal and drawn sharply from right to left across the ball, starting at arm's length to the side and a little in front of the body. Both strokes can be made backhanded, the latter, at the waist-line being very useful; it is made by a horizontal draw of the rac- quet from left to right across the body. The Chop is well worth playing whenever the ball rises to a sufficient height; it is an excellent stroke with which to supplement the Drive but must not in any way be regarded as a substitute for it or be used when the ball is so low as to force one to crouch, as many inexperienced players do. 31 THE CUT A Cut differs from a Chop in that the racquet passes underneath the ball. So severe a twist can be given by this stroke that the ball will bound sharply to one side on striking the ground. A Cut, however, takes so much away from the speed of a ball that it seldoms pays in a deep stroke. THE LOB A Lob is a stroke which sends the ball into the air and requires much accuracy. Its use is of great value to accomplish three purposes First: to force a volleyer back; the Lob in this case may be rather low if the opponent be close to the net, but should always be sent to the base-line, and toward the backhand if possible. Second : to give time to regain position when one is hard pressed. Third: to afford opportunity of recovering one's breath. To obtain the two latter results, the Lob should be both 32 high and deep; it allows the player to re- cover and gives time to go up to the net; the Lob, by being high, drops faster and straighter and for this reason is more diffi- cult for the opponent to handle. The Lob should be placed as carefully as any stroke, for the direction in which it comes to a player makes a great deal of difference in the matter of its control. It should be taken forehanded when possible and in front of the body. Strike quietly and with confidence, as if the stroke were sort of a push and "follow- through" with the racquet. In Doubles, a good Lob is a point winner, often saving the rally. THE HALF-VOLLEY This is solely an emergency stroke and is very difficult to place; it is used only when one has not time to get into position to take the ball as it returns from its bound, and is made by striking the ball just as it leaves the ground. The stroke requires an 33 accurate eye and must be timed exactly right; it is a pretty play but should be used only when no other stroke is possible. VOLLEYS The term Volley is applied to the play- ing of a ball which has not bounded ; there are two classes the Low Volley, and what is commonly known as the Smash. The volleying-point is two or three yards from the net. THE LOW VOLLEY This is made by a slight straightening and stiffening of the elbow, the wrist being held rigid until the last moment, when it is bent sharply forward to give crispness to the stroke. There is very little swing beforehand and it is advisable to shorten the hold on the racquet. As there is not time here to change the grip from forehand to backhand, such position on the handle 34 FOREHAND DRIVE, finishing with a "follow-through over the left shoulder. &r page 27. must be found as will enable one to play either way. The V., made by the thumb and forefinger, should lie on the broad side of the handle, and the thumb and fingers are wrapped tightly around it, lying close together. The racquet should be hori- zontal and the stroke directed downward; if the ball comes low, one must stoop for it, as the volley should never be taken underhanded when it can possibly be avoided. The feet should be apart, knees slightly flexed, and the body alert; this is the only stroke, except the Service, where a lunge is not absolutely necessary. It is easier to Low Volley on the backhand than forehand, on account of the natural posi- tion of the racquet across the body; if a ball comes directly in front of one, a step to the side should be taken, to play it. THE SMASH The volley of a dropping ball overhead, is called a Smash. The principles of the 37 Service may be followed, except that the racquet must come more on top of the ball, because the player is nearer the net. In backing up to smash, the eye should be kept on the ball, the racquet held across the chest and not released by the left hand until time for the stroke. Go back farther than necessary in order to take a step forward when hitting the ball. If a Lob is so short as to drop very close to the net, it is better to play it on the bound to avoid the danger of touching the net which would forfeit the point. RECEIVING THE SERVICE The exact position at which to receive depends upon the opponent's Service and the kind of ground, i. e., cement, clay or grass. Many Serves that seem almost im- possible to take, are not so hard if one stands far enough back. This is a some- what different problem from the man's game, where the opponents are fighting 38 every instant for the net position. In most cases one should stand almost at the base-line and at an angle in reference to the position of the Server which seems best to guard the court. Plan to drive the first Service, but on the second, a few steps forward may be taken and the Chop stroke used if desired. This first return must be as deep and aggressive as possible and judgment used as to whether is should be followed to the net. SINGLES In general, the back-court game is the defensive method and volleying at the net the aggressive attack. The best game consists in steady and accurate back-court play until such a shot is made, as puts the opponent on the defensive ; then one should go quickly to the volleying-point and hold that position as long as possible. The center behind the base-line is the best 39 place to cover the court if the player is on the defensive. When opposite a persistent base-line player, a good plan is to force her up by a short Chop, following this by a Lob or a deep Drive. A stroke generally has a natural answer; therefore, a gamble, which is often worth taking, is to go to the place where, in one's judgment, the ball will drop. The safest answer to a cross-court shot is to place the return straight down the side- line. It is often well to drive a ball down the middle, when following to the net, as it is harder for the opponent to pass one from the middle than from either side. Of course, if a player can land a Drive so close to either side-line as to put her opponent decidedly on the defensive, so much the better. Learn to drive when running fast, as a very aggressive return is sometimes a good play when one has been hard pressed and forced out of court; it is rather risky, the Lob being preferred, but if an ace is scored by it the moral effect on 40 BACKHAND DRIVE. Moment of impact, weight nav- ing been transferred from the left foot by a lunge to the right foot. Note grip for Backhand. See page 28. the opponent is worth while, as it is most discouraging after she has landed a good shot. If drawn forward to the net to save a very short ball, it is better to stay up even if the return has been weak, rather than risk being caught midway. To make a "Get", that is, when one is barely able to reach the ball, thrust the racquet under it without any preliminary swing. 43 GIRLS' DOUBLES The formation for Girls' Doubles de- pends on the ability of the partners to volley. The ideal double game, the one which men generally play, is to have both partners always abreast, either back or at the net. Fortunately, the tiresome game of four girls playing from the base-line has practi- cally disappeared, as girls are fast learning to hold their own at the net. When both partners are very clever volleyers and are able to back up successfully for the Lobs, the side-by-side formation may be used, but experience has proved that it is the exception when two girls volley well enough to make this a winning game. The best formation for average Girls' Doubles is with one forward and one back. If the girl at the base-line is steady and has a good head, she can work the rally so that the opponents cannot find the "hole" in the formation and she can give her partner many chances to kill. The 44 volleyer may apparently make the points, but the generalship is at the base-line, where a clear brain and experience are necessary. The volleyer may back up for a short Lob, but should let a deep one pass over her head, and then immediately go to the other court to save her partner, who has crossed over for the Lob, from re-crossing. The net player may poach on her partner to kill on the volley, but never to save a ball on the bound, as her partner is in better position for it. When the net player poaches to kill, she may continue all the way across and stop there, or jump back to her own side as seems advisable, or as momentum makes easier. She must never hesitate in the middle, as the partner at the base-line cannot cover both alleys at once and even a second's loss of time means a tangle of position. The girl in the back must be on tip- toe to fill in every- where, as if she were playing Singles. Often the net player makes a lunge as if 45 to poach for a kill, or perhaps backs up to smash; she then finds that it is too far to be worth while and lets the ball go through to her partner, who should be prepared to play everything until the one at the net has actually hit the ball. This leaves the volleyer freer to start a try on the chance of reaching, and enables her to stay close to the net, thereby getting many chances to kill, because if she cannot reach a ball, she is "backed up" and the rally saved. The volleyer may take her position at the net while her partner is serving, but when the volleyer is serving the partner should remain at the base-line, and the volleyer find her net position as soon as possible. When receiving, both should stay at the base-line until an advantage is gained over the opponents, either by a successful Lob or deep cross-court shot, when the volleyer should go immediately to the net. The base-line player should always try to direct the ball to the opponent who is in front of her partner, as the return is easier to kill 46 BACKHAND DRIVE, finishing- with a "follow-through over the right shoulder. See page 28. from that angle; also it is harder at that angle for the opponents to send a stroke which is running away from the base-line player. This idea is most important for the girl in the back to keep in mind. To illustrate when the ball is not sent to the player in front of the volleyer. fr A "A" sends the ball to "C," in- stead of to "D"; "C" takes ad- vantage of the "hole" behind "B," and not only passes her, but drives at an angle which makes the ball run away from "A." B N Showing the only possible strokes . when the ball is kept in front of the / net player i. e., a Lob over the | volleyer; a Drive to the volleyer I or her alley; a cross-court shot \ toward the base-line player. \ 49 MIXED DOUBLES This game may be played like Men's Doubles if the girl is exceptional at the net, but generally, the most successful formation is that indicated for Girls' Doubles, when the man should keep to the net as much as possible and poach to kill on the volley at every opportunity. To do her share at the base-line, the girl must be able to cover court very quickly, have an accurate and deep Lob and a sure first Service. If the first Service is sure, the man will have many chances to kill, while the slower pace of the second places him on the defensive. He should follow to the net on his service and be the constant aggressor. Before the game there should be an understanding in regard to such plays as the following: Should the man decide to cross to cut off a short return, the girl must cover his court. Should a Lob be so deep as to force the man from his net 50 position, he should let it pass over his head and cross, the girl covering his court. DOUBTFUL BALLS In the double game balls often strike near the center of the court, and good team work calls for an agreement in regard to them. The safest plan is for one to call quickly and distinctly, "Mine!" or " Yours!" In general, if one player is stronger than the other, the stronger should take the initiative on doubtful balls. If both are in the back-court, and a ball is easily within the range of either, the one who played the preceding ball should take it. It is well for the back-court player to take most of the doubtful balls as the vol- leyer will be able to get to the net under cover of her partner's stroke. A cross- court shot is better taken by the player toward whom it is traveling, even though it has struck unmistakably in the other's court. 51 TACTICS AND GENERALSHIP Strategy is a valuable point winner; de- ductions frequently can be made from the opponent's manner of play a glance of the eye, or style of swing, often indicat- ing the direction of the ball and the kind of bound it will have. One should take advantage of this, but in turn, guard as much as possible from giving such indica- tions to the adversary. Study the char- acteristics of the opponent's game, noticing weak points in order to take advantage of them. The conditions of the wind and sun should be considered, and the game played accordingly. In the wind use low strokes ; if the sun is in the opponent's eyes, a lob- bing game is often effective. A fine general can, by watching an op- ponent, put her off her stroke by deliver- ing a ball in the way she seems to dislike to receive it, quite as much as by placing it out of her reach. Discover whether she likes to play her drive high or low, and 52 RECEIVING THE SERVICE. See page 38. whether she can manage her backhand on a high bounding ball. If she stands back very far to receive the first Service, sur- prise her occasionally by sending a slow shallow ball; also, if she comes up close on your second Service, send one as fast as the first, even at the risk of a Double-fault. If she stands far to her left, ostensibly to protect her backhand, play to her extreme right and then to her weak spot, the back- hand. Have up your sleeve constantly, the foil of alternatives. Against a volleyer, a much poorer Lob and a much poorer Drive will suffice, if intelligently alternated, be- cause to return the one puts the player in a disadvantageous position for returning the other. This method of attack makes it dangerous for both partners to be at the net in Girls' or Mixed Doubles. If there is no one to help defend the deep Lobs, a girl is continually driven back so that a good Chop or Drive can be easily sent to her feet on the next stroke, and she loses the real value of the net position. This is particularly noticeable in Mixed Doubles, as the girl will be given most of the balls and the man cannot poach if she is at the net. If he tries to save her Lobs, they both get in a mix-up and he will not have nearly as many chances to kill, be- cause of having to leave the ideal scoring position. Of course, it is interesting to try the side-by-side formation in practice games but it is against good judgment if the winning of a match is the prime object. ETHICAL AND PRACTICAL SUG- GESTIONS FOR MATCH PLAY Have a preliminary rally with some friend, not the opponent, and let accuracy be the feature of it rather than speed. Meet the Referee, and when the match is over, let the first word be to the adver- sary and the next an expression of appre- ciation to the Referee, as that office is a difficult and generally thankless one. Know the rules and be prepared for such an one as the Foot-fault rule. Do not make any motion toward return- ing a Serve if not ready, and refrain from wasting energy by blocking the faults. There are bound to be decisions which appear wrong; expect this, and be un- ruffled, knowing that such matters almost always even up. Make no comment in regard to decis- ions; if appealed to, refer all questions to the Referee. In Doubles, one should consider the fact 57 that the attitude of one partner toward the other has much to do with success. Faith and encouragement will lead to good re- sults, while doubt and criticism may lead to failure. Remember, that in the face of impending defeat more games are lost through the persistent nagging of the better partner than by the poor playing of the weaker one ; victory is often wrested from defeat by a sympathetic understand- ing between the partners. It is exceed- ingly poor taste for a player to lay the blame for defeat upon her partner. As a last word be a modest, gracious winner and a generous loser; this is true sportsmanship. 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