BARE LEGS.

Shannon News, 30 July 1929, Page 1

BARE LEGS.

NEW TENNIS FASHION.

SUGGESTED BAN

LONDQX

A groat ileal of discussion is going on a< to whether women should play tennis with bare legs. The fashion is growing very rapidly. It is asked: Will tiie "Lawn Tennis Association and All-England Club place a ban on the vogue in the Wimbledon championships'? The no-si tickings vogue was introduced into this country by Miss "Billio" Tapscott, the South African player, who, when she arrived in England recently, said she would play without stockings as she did in 1927. .Miss Helen Wills is playing in the French championships stockingless, and Mi:;s Elizabeth Ryan, who will partner Miss. Betty Xuthall at Wimbledon in the ladjes' doubles, and Miss Joan Fry have also played in bare legs

Miss Betty Xuthall will wear stockings, but it is almost certain that, as Miss Helen Jacobs, the American player who arrived in England last week said: "Many players will in time play without stockings, especially if they get in this country the hot weather we experience in California, where nobody wears stockings on the courts. " From Paris ,where 'the hard-court championships arc in progress, there comes the news that the women arc much amused at the controversy in London. In most lawn tennis clubs whether they be in Paris, Le Touquel, Dinai'd, or Deauville, it is the custom when the weather is hot for women to discard their stockings. French women in consequence cannot see any difference in playing without stockings at their clubs or at Wimbledon. Why, they ask, all this fuss —and. dismiss' the question with a shrug of the shoulders. Views of Players The Daily Mail has been obtaining opinions from well-known women ten nis players. Among the views expressed were:— ' • Mrs. Mailory (the former America!, champion): 1 never heard of anything so ridiculous, i came over here thu year fully intending to play Avithou; stockings oven at my age. Supposing we all turned up. at Wimbledon withou, stockings: What would you do? Turn i us off? If' all the women tenuis play ! ers decided that they would not weai stockings at Wimbledon they could not refuse to let us play. That seems ti me to be the only reply to such a silly action. Bare legs are a great advantage to a. woman', and I do not agree that they look ugly. If a woman has nice legs they look very pretty with out stockings. Mrs. Lambert Chambers (who won the singles title at Wimbledon sever times): If Avomcn'must have their leg> covered to play tennis, then why should not they have long sleeves? It is just as ridiculous to suggest that. In any case the dress a woman wears is her own business and not that of the Lawn Tennis Association. The only action for the players to take, if they think that bare legs help their game, -is to stay away from the tournament. flayers who dislike the bare-leg fash ion included: —

Mrs. Shepherd Barron: I think thai the bare-leg fashion is hateful. I ecr tairly would not appear on a court be fore the public without stockings, and I am sure that most of the married wo men will not adopt the fashion, as theii husbands would object violently. Wo men's legs do not look handsome when diey are bruised and scarred. Mrs. P. Stniwson: I do not like ban togs because 1 do not think they 1001. nice; but,, also,, I. do not see why : woman should not be allowed to pla; .nire-logged if she wishes. Miss Vera Montgomery: Bare leg: not only ugly, but r.re not as con) ...tabie as stockings.