Concentration Important In Tennis: Observations On Watt Cup Play

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 33, 31 March 1948, Page 6

Concentration Important In Tennis: Observations On Watt Cup Play

(By Service) Concentration is an important factor in Tennis. All your mind should be devoted to the game and it was disturbing to see so many players being influenced by those watching. One player's game was quite visibly affected by that "act that relations were watching match, while another, whether through nervousness or bravado, kept up a running commentary with the spectators, ]ust when the game had reached a very vital stage. In a match, all your thoughts should be concentrated on the ball and on your opponent—allow no outside factors to influence you in any way and concentrate mostly on that point which will add a game to your score.

Miss I. Grant would be well advised to try speeding up her game more. She has a very nice free action, but her ground shots lack type and this is a pity, considering the very active type of game she plays and also her ability to volley well. I would suggest to Miss Grant that she endeavour to play long drives to the back line and follow these up with excursions to the net, where her ability to smash will probably pay good dividends. In tennis, as in most games, attack is more successful than defence. Striving To Win The American Davis Cup team that played in New Zealand last season left us with the friendly suggestion that we, in this country, do not strive enough to win that vital point which will give us the match. Provided we have taken .our opponent to advantage in the last set, we are quite complacent about the result. They claim, and I think, justifiably, that such an attitude is having a very detrimental effect on the standard of tennis played here. In America players consider it a disgrace to be beaten, and while one might argue that this is carrying the winning spirit a shade too far, we have to admit that it is that same spirit that prevails in our national game—Rugby football, one sport in which we have notched a name for ourselves in the world. Of course, in a tennis match one side or the other will have to accept, gracefully defeat, but the gist of my advice is —don't let it be you.

Restoration Of Courts The Whakatane Club is fast approaching that part of the season, through which all grass court clubs must pass—the preparation and restoration of the courts for next season's play. This work, which is a matter of two or three week-ends, is quite essential and it is to be hoped that all members will respond willingly to the committee's appeal for assistance. With a little work, the courts should be almost perfect for next season's play.

Positions In Doubles I would like to mention a phase of doubles play, over which there appears to be some confusion, and that is the relative position of the two players who form each team. The most accepted theory is briefly put—as far as possible keep level with your partner, and near the net. In most top grade matches it is the pair who first assume command of the net that eventually wins the rally in most occasions. Of course if one player is forced to go back to get a lot then his partner too should retire with him, both players later rushing the net when the opportunity arises. As far as sideways movement is concerned the rule is—if your partner has to move towards the sideline for a shot, you should move an equal distance in the same direction thus protecting the vulnerable spot—down the centre. My main reason for mentioning these two things is that so many pairs are playing the "tandem" formation, that is, one player at the net and one at the back line. Against two net players this formation must fail because of the weak spot across court and behind the player at the net.