TENNIS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2792, 2 October 1924, Page 4

TENNIS.

F. Gordon Lowe on Etiquette on the Court).

The high standard of good sportsmanship which lias been developed by lawn tennis players in general is one of the chief assets of the game. A sportsman plays the game for the sake of the sport. Good court manners at Wimbledon are traditional; for this reason it is a pleasure to watch every match which is played during the big meeting.

14 is the duty of all players to look neat and clean on court; every champion has carried out this rule to the letter. A tight belt or collar should be avoided. The lighter your shoes are the better for the sake of mobility. Players should know the rules of the game and follow them out on court in every respect. Endeavour to give your opponent the benefit of the doubt, play hard throughout a match and always to win. Be certain never to let your feelings get the better of you on court; (he spectators should not be allowed to get wise to the fact that some little thing has upset you. It is the height of bad manners to look cross at your partner after he has missed a shot; after all, he is doing his best. Try to remember the. easy shots you yourself have missed previously! Don’t show displeasure by banging a ball back or upbraiding the ball boy as if he was to blame for vour mistakes.

A bad fault i- to question an um - pire’s decision; he is doing his utmost and no umpire is infallible. It is not sportng to throw away your next point after a doubtful decision has been given for you, but merely an insult to the umpire. It is best to take the umpire’s decisions without a murmur throughout a match. Any luck there is will work out pretty evenly in the end. Players should not serve their second service too quickly after delivering their first. Your opponent should be given time to get into position. It is equally bad form to reiurn a service which is a fault and disconcerting to an opponent. Never shout “how” to a doubtful line ball; it must be assumed to be “in” unless the umpire shouts “out.” Always walk into position for the next stroke quickly. Players should urn up punctually for their match's and games; it is bad enough to cep one man waiting and worse .till three! Try your hardest during i match whether you are winning .r losing. Most, players have some excuse eady as to why they lost; il is far better to say “He was too good for ae on that particular day,” and cave it at that. It is almost as hard <> win well as to lose well. Try and .mike a man feel how much you enjoyed playing against him. The popular player who always will win .lie sympathy of the spectators, seems to play the game for the sheer enjoyment of it and to enjoy every stroke.

It should not be possible for onlookers to be able, to tell from a man’s demeanour on, court whether ae is winning or losing a match. An International player, who is representing his country abroad, must be very careful how lie behaves both mi and off the court in that foreign land. In a lesser degree a man who is playing away from his “home” courts must always uphold the honour of his own club.