TECHNIQUE OF PLAYING LAWN TENNIS The technique of lawn tennis is based on two distinct factors,— the proper application of energy to the flight and control of the ball, and the proper application of energy to play in relation to an opponent. The first factor presents two basic phases : soundness and variety.
Soundness.—If the ball is not correctly stroked, successful tennis cannot result. Sound stroking controls the ball without conscious thought and with a minimum of expended energy. Un sound stroking produces erratic play and results in premature exhaustion. Soundness is usually acquired by stroke development through years of practice, although occasionally it is a natural gift. Suzanne Lenglen is an outstanding example of the former; Vincent Richards of the latter.
Variety.—By use of the spin, imparted to the ball by wrist movements during the production of the stroke, the actual flight and bound of the ball may he greatly varied. By using different types of strokes from the same court position, the style of play may be varied. By increasing or modifying the energy applied, the speed of the ball may be varied. Variety of all these sorts is essen tial. Sameness of stroke nullifies effectiveness no matter how excellent the unvaried stroke may be. The unexpected scores, as witness William T. Tilden, II., master of variety in play.
The second factor also presents two basic phases : adaptation and psychology.
Adaptation.—Style of play must be adapted first to that of an opponent, second to weather conditions and third to the physical condition of player and opponent. The type of game of one opponent may be such that he prefers straight drives ; another twists; another soft shots; another lobs ; another speed. Or con versely, the type of an opponent's game may be quite unsuited to one or more of these. As soon as a correct diagnosis has been made, adaptation may be commenced. Weather conditions may modify or even reverse the style of play to be employed against a given opponent. Over-exertion by net play may be fatal to suc cess in extreme heat. A player must strive to avoid it in himself and create it in his opponent under such conditions. Rene La Coste always adapts his play to the temperature. Rain, in affect ing the surface of the court, directly affects play and strokes, and tactics must be adapted to the soft or hard surface.
Psychology.—Effectiveness under pressure is the determining factor in match play. Pressure may come from an opponent's play (often the case when against Gerald Patterson), from an oppo nent's personality (often the case when against Tilden), from the gallery or other elements off the court (the Murray-Church match in 1916 is a striking example), or from the strain within one's self (such as Hennessey exhibited against Cochet in their Davis Cup match, 1928).
Service.-This stroke is usually executed by swinging the racket from behind over the head, finishing with a downward sweep in front of the body. Occasionally the player uses what is known as the underhand service, which is a low forehand stroke. There are almost as many varieties of service as there are players, but fundamentally the result of the swing is to impart top-spin, under spin, or side-spin to a ball, each of which results in a distinctly different bound. Rhythm in this stroke is the most important factor.
Forehand.-This is the primary stroke in keeping the ball in play after it has been served. It is the stroke which is most natural, being simply a swing of the racket on the same side of the body as the hand in which it is held. The most important feature of this stroke is the follow-through after the ball has been struck.
Backhand.-This stroke is a swing of the racket from the side of the body away from which it is held. It is a more difficult stroke than the forehand, and is less natural. It is oftentimes employed more than the forehand, due to the fact that an opponent seeks to play to the weaker side. Rhythm and follow-through enter into this stroke, but even more important is body position and the back swing.
Volley.-This is the stroke made close to the net and before the ball has bounced. It requires far greater speed of eye, of racket and of foot than any other stroke, and is a much more difficult stroke to execute properly than any of the ground strokes. Wrist motion is the most essential factor in the volley, as it is only through this that control of flight and direction can be attained.
Smash.-This apparently simple stroke presents all the diffi culties of the service with the additional factor of timing. It is used to return a ball that has been hit high into the air (lobbed) by an opponent and must therefore be struck overhead and brought down. (F. T. Hu.)