New-York tribune., 1902-08-04
TENNIS.
THE ENGLISH PLAYERS PRACTICE-DR
RTSTN

Hard ard fast practice was INDUCED in yesterday
by the English lawn tennis players on the turf
courts OF the Crescent Athletic Club at Eighty
ffth-st- and the Shore Road, Bay Ridge The
Doherty brothers. in the company Of Captain W.
Il Collins. arrived from Boston early in the morn
ing. Dr. Joshua PIN. the other member of the
challenging team. was glad 10 see them and the
trio Of experts at once began their work the
courts in preparation for the matches by which
they hope to win the Dwight F Davis International
Challenge Cup. the trophy that IS now the blue
ribbon of the lawn tennis world II evident
from the start that the former champion Of all
England. Dr. PIN. rusty his strokes. On
his arrival Saturday afternoon he played a
match with the Crescent's expert, Otto Affeld, in
which the latter had little difficulty in winning.
Dr.. PIN told Captain Collins that he needed a lot
Of practice, and R. F Doherty began practice with
him early in the afternoon Then the present
champion Of England, H L. Doherty, gave the old
Eae player trying out for two speedy sets After
this the brothers alternated singles against DR..
PIN. who appeared 70 be greedy for hard play.
While no regular score was kept OF the contests
IL evident that Dr.. PIN being consider
ably beaten. His returns lacked length and force
and many Of them landed in the On service
he was also erratic. and made many double faults
As for the Dohertys. they were only practising
their strokes and giving Dr.. PIN an opportunity TO
his. Each Of the brothers displayed consid-
cradle skill. especially from the baseline Of the
court. Their passing strokes were little short of
marvellous Ihe DOhsTJyS nave both been careful
10 learn and observe the American foot fault rule.
and serve with the foot well behind the line.
DR.. PIN frequently made the mistake Of letting
his foot get the line in advance of the service
OF stood on the line while serving. His attention
was called this by Captain Collins, and he tried
to accustom himself 70 the method he must
when competing in the International matches next
Wednesday, Thursday ard Friday.
Captain Collins who is managing the English
team said that the men were well pleased with the
result Of their practice at Longwood last week.
their victory In the Eastern doubles championship
which gives them the privilege Of meeting the
Western champions at Newport, August I9 and
possibly Of playing for the national title. The
Wrenn brothers are great players" he remarked.
but 7 think the Dohertys beat them al their own
brilliant lobbing game.
The turf in this country IS not so closely cropped
as in England. but it does not affect the game
any. You cannot cut the grass very short here
because OF your hot and bstering summer sun.
which on close turf would leave nothing but hard
dirt in single day There is such a slight differ
ence in the ball that it is hardly worth considera-
ton tested an En5lish ana an American ball
while in Boston. The latter is softer and has a
little more bound to it However. the English ball
appears to require less force in hitting than the
American ball This is probably because the Eng
and this makes the balls take on somewhat more
spring from the racquet I think we shall lift the
to anything, as you say in America He is
streaky player When he is his game he is a
The EngIishmen will put in a lot of time prac-
tee the Crescent courts. which they like well,
Their only approach at complaint is that the wind
sweeps the courts so strongly that ii carries the
The Americans, Larned. Whitman Davis and
Ward. expected at the clubhouse to-day, with
National Lawn Tennis Association, and Palmer E,
PresPrey the secretary 45 With the Americans will
Wrenn, jr., 10 give them an abundance of prelimi-
nary work. The selection of the men and drawing
for the opening singles next Wednesday Will he
made tomorrow night