The first and most important point in match play is to know how to lose.
Lose cheerfully, generously, and like a sportsman.
This is the first great law of tennis, and the second is like unto it to win modestly, cheerfully, generously, and like a sportsman.
The object of match play is to win, but […]
Singles, the greatest strain in tennis, is the game for two players.
It is in this phase of the game that the personal equation reaches its crest of importance.
This is the game of individual effort, mental and physical.
A hard 5-set singles match is the greatest strain on the body and nervous system of […]
Tennis psychology is nothing more than understanding the workings of your opponent’s mind, and gauging the effect of your own game on his mental viewpoint, and understanding the mental effects resulting from the various external causes on your own mind.
You cannot be a successful psychologist of others without first understanding your own mental processes, […]
The net attack is the heavy artillery of tennis.
It is supposed to crush all defence.
As such it must be regarded as a point-winning stroke at all times, no matter whether the shot is volley or smash.
Once at the net hit from the point at the first opportunity given to get the racquet […]
Physical fitness is one of the great essentials of match play.
Keenness can only be acquired if the physical, mental, and nervous systems are in tune.
Consistent and systematic training is essential to a tournament player.
Regular hours of sleep, and regular, hearty food at regular hours are necessary to keep the body at its […]
The forehand drive is the opening of every offensive in tennis, and, as such, should be most carefully studied.
There are certain rules of footwork that apply to all shots.
To reach a ball that is a short distance away, advance the foot that is away from the shot and thus swing into position to […]
Chop stroke.
———— In Tennis, a chop stroke is a shot where the angle towards the player and behind the racquet, made by the line of flight of the ball, and the racquet travelling down across it, is greater than 45 degrees and may be 90 degrees.
The racquet face […]
Footwork is weight control.
It is correct body position for strokes, and out of it all strokes should grow.
In explaining the various forms of stroke and footwork I am writing as a right-hand player.
Left-handers should simply reverse the feet.
Racquet grip is a very essential part of stroke, because a faulty grip will […]
I trust this initial effort of mine in the world of letters will find a place among both novices and experts in the tennis world.
I am striving to interest the student of the game by a somewhat prolonged discussion of match play, which I trust will shed a new light on the game.
May […]
Service is the opening gun of tennis.
It is putting the ball in play.
The old idea was that service should never be more than merely the beginning of a rally.
With the rise of American tennis and the advent of Dwight Davis and Holcombe Ward, service took on a new significance.
These two men […]