Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-06
THE TENNIS SEASON.
International Contests to De 1nnu-
Rurated This Summer.


gurated This Summer.
With the coming OF spring. the swing
of the tennis racquet will be seen In the
land. and the present month will witness
the opening of the season in Washington.
The progress made by the tennis players
of this city. during the past three years,
is both gratifying and remarkable. The
prediction was made in the columns OF
The Star two years ago that the younger
element would forge to the front and make
it warm for our local experts. This opin-
ion has been verified, and we now find such
recent players as Geoghegan, Shields clark
and Morven Thompson close upon the
heels of such veterans as DAVIDSON NC
Pherson, Woodward and Chiffon. Local.
interest in this pasttme has not abated, ana
several now courts are already In process
of construction. The tennis mecca OF the
city Is, Of course, the Bachelors Club, with
five superb courts on M street near 1th'
where the District and Southern Associa-
alton tournaments will be held next
month. Practice will begin about April
Is.
A matter Of interest to tennis players
Ia the fact that quite a large number OF
foreign experts will participate In the con-
tests throughout the country this sum-
mer The showing made by Goodoody last
year and his defeat OF the crack, Larnsa'
Among the foreign contingent VINO Will
shortly sail for America, may be men
Toned Mr.. and Mrs. Hillyard, Mr.. Bar
Chatterton (who is an authority on ten.
nis) and Mr.. Lewis. Mr.. Lewis IS one Oh
the shining foreign lights, ana lnherits als
love for and knowledge of the game from
cracks of England. His greatest strength
lies in the voiley, which he places straight
across the court with almost unerrins oet
tainty. His game is steady, with accura.e
raturns cleyerly varied, until the oppor-
tunity comes for ending the play IN ms
own favor. He rarely resorts to iooolng,
and this may be said of most OF the prom
inent foreign players, with perhaps Tie
ceptfon of Mr.. Barlow.
It is possible that Mr.. Lawford may &C
company the English players. His name Is
familiar to every tennis oevotee. as ne
was the originator tor Of dft tne haid the single
ladies' championship Of England, ana WIN
Miss bod has repeatedly won the double
ladies' championship. Her husband Is IN
the front rank Of the foreign players
Advantages of the Handicap.
America is still behind In the game with
Great Britain. There tennis has oeen
| n,ayed for a quarter of century, anu
| tennis courts are as thick as flies IN sum-
| mer. The English devote more time 10
| athletic sport, WHICH SeeiiiS " oS q 10000
sarv adjunct to their life. Racing, cricket,
racouets, golf and tennis are discussed IN
| the clubs, theaters, trains. on boats. on the
street. and, indeed, where not? America Is
following in the footsteps of England IN
holding handicap tournaments. which were
| practically unknown here five years ago.
| The wisdom and utility Of handicaps mas
been abundantly proven here by the fact
| that this is the only method of play where
| nv the less skillful player is able to COM
| nete with his stronger opponent Many
| PLAYERS who have escaped from the gar
den party STAGE of development have be
come efficient players by means OF the
handicap. Playing one match Is 1ar pettei
than watching a dozen. Difficult strokes
cannot be fully appreciated by the on
locker, and one must participate III game
in order to get the full benefit or knoWl
edge of skillful strokes. By handicaps
PLAYERS acquire precision of stroke and &C
curate ideas Of placing, both Of which arr
indispensable to a skillful game.
The visit of foreign players to the United
States will be most important step to
ward increasing the strength of our play
ers. and the interest Of the public in tennis
| contests. With the establishment of inter
| national tennis tournaments every yearal
ternating in the two countries, the gam
! will receive new impetus.
Several years ago predictions were freel.
made that tennis would be destined T.
early extinction. This opinion is now en-
tireIy gainsaid, for at no time in its histor,
has tennis been more popular than at pres
ent, and indications now point to lon
continued lease of life. Nothing will con
tribute more largely to this happy condi
ton than the coming together every yea
of the leading tennis players of Englan
and the United States