Over the Net

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 814, 7 November 1929, Page 14

Over the Net

By “DEUCE”

THE 1929 SEASON The senior clubs, Eden and Epsom, Onehunga, Parnell and Remuera. held their official openings on Saturdaylast. Fine weather prevailed, but owing to the recent rains the courts were soft and tennis balls soon became discoloured and heavy. Those who were keen to try out their new rackets did so at the risk of losing their strings at an early date. Players anxious to get the best out of a new racket should put it aside and retain an old one until the heat of summer and drier conditions prevail. Now is the time for all those desirous of improving their game to give careful study as to where their weaknesses lie. In the period which precedes the more important events on which they have designs they must be content to play for practice and not to win. They must face the weak spots in their game and not slink from them. Mow is the time to ask the other man to pelt at the spots from where you make weak returns. Only by the elimination of defective shots and the development of good all-rotind strokes can a player hope to attain championship honours.

You will probably find courts crowded in the early season and while waiting for a game seek out the man who is strongest where you are weakest. Ask him to show you his shot—he will probably feel flattered—and if a volley board is available a few minutes with him may be of great assistance to you. Remember also that Cochet and La Cost© attribute a great deal of their success to regular practise against a wall and don’t neglect the volley board.

It is too early in the season to discuss form and players’ prospects for the season. Unlike other centres few of our leading players keep at the game over the winter months. That does not necessarily mean that they are at a disadvantage. Quite often players remark that they feel their game benefits by giving it a rest. They come fresh and much keener to the fray and after a few weeks of solid practice soon regain their old form. Quite a number of well-known players have been playing Badminton over the winter with a good deal of success, while others have been persevering with their golf.

It is to be hoped that the season will again produce more young players to contend with the older ones who have been prominent for many seasons past. One of the reasons why many of the older players retain their positions near the top is not that they have better strokes—often the reverse—but because better experience has taught them to play more with their head. Don’t go for winners off every shot. If you do the chances are the other man will win off your errors.

Auckland women will be greatly strengthened this year* by the reappearance of Miss Knight and the acquisition of Mrs. Dykes (nee Spiers). Both these players are members at Eden and Epsom and their club’s chances of again winning the senior grade inter-club series would appear to be very bright. Contests between Mrs. Dykes and Miss Macfarlane, the present New Zealand champion, are always well worth going a long way to see and Aucklanders are indeed fortunate to have these two leading players in their midst. Both A. O. Stedman and Stuart have to golf during the past season and the former in particular is showing great promise at the game. It will be interesting to see whether Stuart will be good enough to turn the tables on Stedman this season, as in the past there has been little between them. Both Brinsden and Bartleet will be making a late start; with tennis, as they are engaged In golf events and will not be on the courts for a further three weeks.

The national championships, after an interval of 10 years, are to be held at Wellington from January 27 to February 1.

Tennis enthusiasts are wondering whether E. W. Andrews will be at the next New Zealand championships. It was reported some time ago that he proposed to return to New Zealand for a time and would be competing. It will be remembered that he was for a time Wimbledon’s “hero” after his great victory over the American, Hunter, at the 1928 meeting. Recent reports indicate that he is well up to standard In British tennis circles and won the South of England championship this year. It will be interesting to see the improvement which experience abroad must have undoubtedly made to his game. If he is a competitor at the next New Zealand meeting he will certainly start a strong favourite.