GET OUT YOUR TENNIS RACQUETS

Ladies' Mirror, Volume I, Issue 4, 2 October 1922, Page 39

GET OUT YOUR TENNIS RACQUETS

'T'HE lawn tennis season will soon 7- be in full swing, and now is the time to get out your racquets for inspection in order that they may be ready for use. Your tennis racquet should have been put away in a dry place, in both press and head-cover through the winter, with the gut well oiled. It must be carefully examined now for signs of warping of the frame, and the gut tested. If there is a suspicion of weakness, send the racquet to be restrung before you attempt to play with it.

On its return, with the new gut, look well at the frame again, for should it have been imperceptibly out of shape before, there is a tendency for this to increase when subject to the strain of restringing. It is advisable always to keep the racquet in the press when not in use, and to slip on the cover. The press keeps the frame from warping, but it is equally important to protect the gut from the atmosphere. Care in this matter will save many a string from being broken. On no account leave your racquet lying on the grass. The moisture it inevitably picks up affects both the frame and the gut, and soon does irreparable damage. Neither is it good for your racquet to use it in the rain, but should it get wet by some mischance, wipe it dry as soon as possible, put it into the press, and in a dry, but not too warm, place. Never put a racquet near the fire. When all signs of dampness have disappeared, rub a few drops of oil in thoroughly with a small . hard brush. Replace in the press until the oil has dried, and then apply a little gut preservative, which is easily obtained from any store supplying sports and games. It is wise, when purchasing a new racquet for the season, to choose one made of the best materials, since it is less likely to show defects after a little use, and will better stand the strain of rcstringing when necessary. Women players; usually prefer a 13oz. or a 13Joz tennis racquet, but lighter ones, with all-cane handles, are obtainable.. If you have very small hands, select a handle slender enough to afford a firm hold. A broad indiarubber band round the handle is to be recommended for beginners, especially, as it gives a better" grip.

Good Form on the Tennis Court WHEN one is an indifferent player ” it is best to explain this quite, frankly before the sets arc arranged, so that this may be done with -due attention to relative “form.” It is then quite unnecessary to " exclaim, make excuses, and reiterate the fact of your inexperience every time you make a fault. i

Play as well as you can. backing up your partner, and take all instructions and kindly meant advice with a good grace. Self-control on the tennis court is most important, as well as sometimes rather difficult, and to show annoyance at a partner’s mistakes or to betray chagrin at the prospect of being beaten is exceedingly bad form.