The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-05
Lawn Tennt. Tournament.

For three days during the past week tennis
has absorbed the attention of the members OF the
Olympic Tennis Club and their friends. The
tournament was pronounced success Cloud
less skies and cooling hreezes prevailed; specta-
tors were numerous aud fair; and the
contestants enthusiastic aud sanguine.
u was wisely determined by the manage
meut that each contestant must meet the
netd and play ak games with each of
the otner players, supremacy being determined
by the highest percentage OF games won. For
club tournaments this plan has donbie adVan-
tage. 1t affords the most complete possible test
OF the average play OF each man, and also IL
gives an opportunity TO the weaker players OF
practice and experience, which must result in
increased interest and higher average OF play.
As a result of the games, tbs players are divided
into four classes according 90 the proficiency
showa. opportunity be offered those in in
ferior classes 10 challenge their superiors with
chance for advancement in case OF victory, per.
maneni interest can be gixeu 70 this method of
cisssinesi;ons, apart from the pleasure which
always comes from the rivalry of friendly games.
The tournament was more significant as show
Ing what possibilities the players had than Cor
the excellence of the playing. with few eScep-
Hons the contests were marked 10y an unsteadi-
ness ot play which comes from lack OF practice.
Mr.. Barker deservedly won first place and Sc
cured As reward the very handsome racquet Of.
fsred TO the winner OF the tournament He plays
the strong, sure game which can only Do at
tanned by constant practice. He il active
on bis teet, covers great deal of
groand aud offers his antagonist no really
weak roiot OF attack. either At the net
or when playing back The bali must be placed
in bis reach or killed. Points cannot DC "iound'
With him. Mr.. Meserve plays q deceptive game,
but strong one. His success lies more in the
dexserons use of his wrist than In the activity Of
bis feet He plays with Judgment and feels as
carefully for difficult return IS for sn easy
place chance. He prefers the back of the court
- the net, and seldom permits himself 10 be
caught where volleying is necessary This
choice of positions 10 wise one for his dslshsr.
ate style o: play. Mr., Kelleher too uses good
Suigmeut. His head Is an important factor in
his game. IL he put moro strength into his
service and more speed into his return-As he
might easily do without encangsring points BY
driving out or into the net--h be would DC an oven
Yore difficult antagonist than at present Mr.
Palmer has the making Of an excellent PLAYER
ysis service 10 strong and could he made very
affective with practice. His height strong
wrist aud good eye make him dangerous a; the
net He returns last ball snd no; tnireQuenily
= wsll-pIaced ball He has the making of =
nsrong player in doubles. lie should be little
more sesive on his feet and use s little more
caution In his returns to do himself fan Justice
a a single player. Mr.. ouirk shows sigas
Of an excellent player, lie Il alert, almost uerv.
ems in his play lie shows lack OF practice
badly. but is capable OF brilliant work al the
net. At the back court his method is not good
He strikes too quickly al the bali though afraid
n would forget 20 bound more than half way
Mr. Came profits by tho knowledge that to be
properly returned bail Should be struck when
in the fall sitter the bounce Acting on this
principle he places easily and returns vel. Ne
does not cover as much grouad - he ought TO
csver, and has little confidence IN yolleying
game II iss pity that urgent business pre-
vented Mr., c. n AnStip frora Participatiag in
these games His presence n the courts might
AAvs robbed tae stees-,I&s aga ~ ~, Barker Of