The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-14
Tennis at the Newton Ten
mis- Club.
First Championship Indoor
Handicap Tournament.
No ale-PennSylvania Freshman
Crew Race the Coming Season.


For the FIRST time since the introduction OF
tennis into the country there will be cham
pionship indoor handicap tournament at the
Newton Winter Tennis Club on Monday next.
Strange TO say. indoor tennis has received
but little encouragement in this country,
which is In marked contrast to the interest
shown across the water. No facilities are
offered by the numerous athletic clubs OF
America for the most deserving branch or
the game. and this is pity. for such thing
could easily be accomplished, and beneficial
results most certainly obtained.
AT the Queen Club London. which Is quite
the most representative tennis club In En-
gland, several indoor courts are constantly
played upon by tho best players, and the
hyde Park Tennis Club, which is used OK.
clusively for indoor tennis throughout the
winter months, affords excellent facilities for
this branch of the game. 1t is no rare sight
to see such players as Meers and those equally
prominent at this latter place almost weekly.
AT Lord Cavan's country seat at Wheat
hampstead will be found the most perfect
covered court in tho world Lord Cavan Is a
most enthusiastic patron OF tennis, and
almost all tennis players Of prominence have
received invitations to play on this court.
The above illustrations will suffice to show
that this country Is far behind England In the
encouragement given to indoor tennis. 1t Is
mepifest that chance to play the game during
the winter and spring months has much to do
with the proved superiority OF English
players to our own. No doubt an indoor
tournament for the championship of tins
country Will give decided impetus to the
game. 1t is TO be hoped that this is only the
beginning OF indoor tennis tournaments.
.rI 20 A.a xxvfA
bisques, which has, by virtue OF resolutions
adopted by the United States National Lawn
Tennis Association last month, been done
away with in accordance with the practice
observed in England, and an entirely new
system has been substituted. AS a result
the so-called "sixth" system of handicappins
will be tried at Newton Center, whore the
tournament Is to be played throughout next
week.
The "sixth" system means this: No player
who receives any handicap can receive less
than one-sixth, l.. e., one stroke in every sixth
game. the number of sixtbs gradually in
cressing until fve-sixths are reached. i. g.. 10
in five games out of six, after which comes
the full Is, the sixth then starting again with
the full Is in front of them (l5l-l5.8, etc.,
until the full 30 is reached, and so on.
1t is quite work OF art to frame n handi-
cap. and almost an jmpossibIlity TO give salts
faction to all players competing. One will say
he receives too little, another will feel az
grievsd that he is allotted such big start
while a third will be nightly offended that
an opponent whom, perhaps, he has beaten'in
the open singles. is placed on level with
him in the handicap. However, these little
differences cannot be avoided by any handi-
capper, who will have TO look for his reward
IN tho closeness Of the matches.
How handicap should be played may be
viewed from two standpoints, Q) by the giver
of odds. and (2) by the receiver Of odds.
I. The giver of odds will have to play IA
careful game. taking his time to win every
ace and never attempting to hurry, for IL he
does so he will court defeat. The importance
of every stroke must never for a moment be
lost sight of, and however much the back
marker may be tempted to 20 for risky
shot, nniess, or course. 1t ia as a last resource
he must restrain himself and be contented TO
get the hall back, making the stroke as Diff
cult for his opponent To- return as is con-
sistent with absolute safety.
Whatever the state of tho score, the back
marker must never give up hope. but must
stick to every point as If his life depended on
his winning 1t. In no other way can player
near his own strength.
The value OF each strike Is so much greater
TO the giver than to the receiver of odds that
the loss of the first point in gsms very often
makos the task of winning that game pretty
nearly an impossibility. There IS nothing
like giving odds to make one steady, and
handicap playing is a most invaluable method
Of improving both the game of the back
marker, as well as that of the receiver Of
points.
.. The mistake so often made by the re.
ceiver of odds is mis- failure to take full ad-
vantage Of his points BY this is meant, not,
was the custom with the old bisque. that
be forgets ali about them, for the umpire will
SEE that he has them right enough but that
when he starts the game with long odds in
ais favor, Instead of at once adopting forcing
tactics with all his might, he settles down to
play his ordinary game, mt which, in all prob
ability his opponent will beat him pretty
comfortably.