Omaha daily bee., 1910-09-27
Lawn
Tennis
Things You Want to Know

prominent men throughout the world as
the game OF tennis. unless IL be Eolf The
whole world is familiar with the tennis
cabinet Of the Roosevelt administration,
and in Europe the game has been equally
vel patronized by kings and potentates.
The late king o. Portugal was one OF the
enthusiasts Of the game, and there are
many pictures eNtsnt showing how vel he
handled The racquet Few Eames require
such a constant strain on the part OF the
player once the ball is put into play. il
Is a case Of keeping everelasungly al 4 for
nearly tWo hours a rule. In many Of
the great tournaments the principle oontes-
tants- undergo periods % training almost
a. strenuous a. those Of professional
boxer No one who keeps late hours. Or
otherwise violates the Laws which make
for superb manhood. stands much chance
Of winning the honors IN an important
match Like the man who would be
skilled rnarksmsn. the good tennis player
must have a remarkably keen eye and
steady nerve. and no form OF dissipation
will permit a man 10 rvtsin these qualities.
Although the game Of lawn tennis he still
less than % years cid, there is much dis
pute as II It's origin We are told mat
game closely related 70 il vas played on
court under the balconies Of queen Eliza
heth's palace and that she greatly enjoyed
watching its progress. II Is doubted II
there is any single feature in the modern
tennis game that il absolutely original
The Romans are said to have been the
FIRST people who ever played with l,an.
4 In Europe a game involving some 81 the
. ideas Of tennis was PLAYED by ire kings and
mobiles OF feudal times. Il seems 10 have
7 been &c tennis what the old-fsshioned long
} town game Of ball Was 10 modern base hall.
Tennis first was PLAYED with 8 cork tall
and the bare hand The grounds were
shaped something like an hour glass
Later 8 glove was used on tive hand. and
this glove was afterwards so improved
( that there were strings leading from the
I forefinger to the thumb thus extending
the hitting surface Of the hand. II was
easy stage Of transition from this to the
modern racquet All siEes. shapes and con
ditions Of racquets have been used.
The name Of tennis is believed to have
originated from the French word --teneE"
a command 10 play. The modern name is
but phonetic rendition Of this term
When the game first attained a national
standing in England II had the euphonetie
title Of "sphairsuke" This name was
given il by Major W c. Winfield. Off
Ger Of the British army. who IL generally
recognized as the father OF the modern
game He brought it out in 1874 Members
OF the bennington club claim that they
PLAYED IL fifteen years before the advent OF
/ WinEfield's 'sphsirstike The first or
ganiEed laws for the game were formulated
in March. 1875. by the Msrylebone Cricket
club Al the urgent suggestion Of Henry
Jones afterward the -Cavendish" OF mod
ern whist the All England CrooueJ club AZ
Wimbledon was induced to take up tennis
/ II Immediately became the chief tennis
organization Of England, and its decisions
have obtined throughout the world. except
in the territory OF the United States Ma
The game was imported into the United
states in 1874. and grew in favor rapidly
that a National Lawn Tennis association
was organized in 1881. Although there have
been a humble Of other national orEsniza-
tons this 'one has succeeded in making
itself the court Of last resort in tennis
matters in America II now has mem
bership Of nearly 100 clubs and the Official
dates Of each season are fixed by it. Its
meetings are held in New York City. and
most Of the business is transacted upon
the pIoxies that are sent in. Al its meet
ing last February. in addition 10 establish
ing the clay court championship. il de-
cided that America should again challenge
for the Davis cup. but II properly equip
ped players are not forthcoming IL is
doubtful is this decision will he carried out
Few games afford such advantages a.
; tennis The equipment is inexpensive, the
grounds required are small tao people
can extract a. much amusement from IL
as = larger number; at the same time get
I ting all the benefits Of the strenuous ex-
ercise il requires. This exercise calls into
play almost every muscle in the human
I anatomy. That II is growing In popular
! favor IL attested by the increasing number
Of courts 10 be seen IN every urban COM
munity- and that 1T deserves the favor IL
is gaining IL evidenced by the verdict OF All
who follow u-that IL is without q peer s.
| a health-g giving exercise
BY PREDERHc J. MAsxrH.
TomorroW-FunSral Directors