New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-18
Service Faults the Big
Question for Americans
to Decide.
FAIR REGULATION is
DIFFICULT TO DEFINE
Charles p. Dixon Says Proposed
Restriction Would Make
Game MonOtOnOus.

London. Jan. 1I.-Engish lawn ten
mis- players are greatly interested IN inc
action likely TO be taken regarding the
proposed changes in the rules to be
adopted at the coming annual meeting
of the United States National Lawn
Tennis Association. The greatest N
terest here is attached TO the service,
or foot fault rule, which for many years
has been a bone Of contention. Eng
land has frequently shelved all Pro-
posed changes because of the difficulty
in arriving at an equitable substitute.
The general opinion here is that the
present rule is good in theory, but VIII
prove a failure in practice, because !.
is impossible TO get consistently
proper Interpretation from umpires, and
also difficult for linesmen 10 watch the
feet of the server and the stroke Of has
racquet at the same time.
II is now proposed, according to the
new rule. that the server replace the
raised foot behind the base line after
the delivery of the service, thus pre-
venting him from stealing march on
strictly scrupulous opponent through
| the habit Of stepping into court, and so
getting up toward the net in time TO
volley the return Of the service.
The American objection raised on
the score that the proposed rule VIII
deprive the leading Americans and
other players Of their most valuable
| asset of speed is thought TO be unjusti-
fable here, as the change makes little
difference as to speed. while affording
| less opportunity for foot faulting.
Many agree that the slight loss OF
speed by the server will help to bal
snce matters on both sides Of the net.
as the development Of the fast service
I in recent years, especially through fla
grant foot faulting. has threatened 10
destroy the equity between defence and
attack that is the basis Of the rules Of
all games.
! Indeed. the over determination OF
the service in recent years has brought
many adherents around 10 the one-ser-
vice idea, which, though not officially
taken up. is fast gaining in favor.
l. is the feeling here that the rules
| must be for the whole game and not
for q few famous players. TO tho detri-
ment OF the others. That because a
second service is in reserve does not
mitigate in favor OF winning an ace
frequently by fiukey first service in
which the man filings himself at the
ball and gets il fairly over the net
somehow without knowing why and
without regard 10 skill.
AS 1t stands now the server has two
chances 10 one for the striker, who is
likely 10 waste energy chasing the first
service fault. whereas with only one SER
vice IL would make for steadiness and
a generally better study of this most
important phase Of the game.
Charles =. Dixon one Of Maurice l..
McLoughlins opponents in the Davis
CUP matches OF last year. takes the
opposite view OF the situation. He
says:
THE proposed alterations in the rule
are evidently framed TO make the duties
OF the umpire and linesmen easier but
1, would entail hardship on players
" no have habitually observed the pres
ent rule by minimizing the effective
ness OF the service and the subsequent
volley play.
in singles. even with the server
slightly foot faulting, there Is good
margin OF the court where he may be
passed. and should the striker fail on
his first attempt il is not likely that
he will get "A further chance. By MAX
ing IL easier still for the striker To pass
an incoming vollcyor it may result in a
tendency 10 revert 10 the monotonous