THE TENNIS PROFESSIONAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 148, 15 August 1911, Page 2

THE TEN NIS PROFESSIONAL.

Dr. L. 0. S. Poidevin lias an inter-, osting plea in the “Sydney Morning, Herald” for the employment of professionals in Australian tennis. it may even surprise some colonial players to learn that there are men who Loach the game, who are paid to make hot shots at beginners, just as nofessional cricketers bowl for half sovereigns on amateurs’, stumps. Dr. Poidevin says the best player in England, if not in the world, is a man many players have never heard of, Gaudory, one of the professionals of Queen’s Club, London. Caudery’a son ices, like those of the other professionals, are at the disposal of the greatest, duffer as well as the most distinguished amateur. He is kept going all day long, and ,his services are booked for some time beforehand. “You will see him at one time giving words of advice and encouragement and a good game to the veriest novice, and the next minute commencing a 3-set match with a Doherty or Wilding. He is certain to give his distinguished opponent a good game; it might he worth a sovereign or so to him if he wins—but not too easily. There’s money in diplomacy in these matters; many a diplomatic defeat has Caudery • sustained.” Dr. Poidevin advocates the employment of at least one good professional at the Double Bay ground, Sydney, to instruct young players jpst as a golf “coach” does, and give better players good practice. Australian tennis, he thinks, will not be improved until this is done, and the system gradually extended. The game suffers, he says, from the lack of opportunities of seeing great players play. “To no game, perhaps, does the old truism, ‘Example is better than precept,’ more aptly apply than to lawn tennis, and nowhere in the world, not even in conservative Scotland, is the example of modern methods of play so sadly lacking as amongst us here in , New South Wales.” This and the fact that there are no facilities for instruction are keeping Australian tennis back, in spite of the brilliance of Brooks.