The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-22
GREATEST PLAYERS
OPINIONS GATHERED
Parct's New Tennis Book Gives
Long Lists of Answers to
Questions on Game.
WIDELY DIFFERENT IDEAS

Tennis lovers will welcome a new
book entitled Methods and Players OF
Modern Lawn Tennis because IT not
only tells all about the game and how
1t is played but IL gives the opinions OF
many of the best known players on the
different fine points. so that the reader
can learn just how each man plays. The
book is by J. Parmly Parct and Is edited
by S. Wallis Merrihew. A series OF forty
questions was framed, each dealing with
SOM disputed point Of play. These
questions were submitted to many OF the
foremost players Of the last ten years,
both OF this country and abroad. No
player knew what any other had to say
in answer and each reply Is reproduced
verbatim without comment of any kind.
Among those who have answered these
questions are X Norris Williams I'd
Thomas G. Bundy, Karl II. Behr. Fred
erick Il. Alexander, Harold H. Hackett,
Raymond ID. Little, Y. Lindley Murray.
Beals G. Wright, Watson NJ. Wasbburn.
George VI. Church, Clarence Hobart, Ella
T., Fottrell, James G. Parke, Charles T..
Dixon and many Others.
An Introduction TO the game gives
good advice to beginners and then the
first principles of the play are discussed.
In this chapter the selection OF the
racket. the grip of the racket, the use
of muscles and name OF difefent
strokes are explained, and then in sue
ceeding chapters the disputed points OF
play are taken up.
The grip OF the racket comes first,
and this is illustrated to show the diff
ferences between the two schools. as
well as half n dozen eccentric STYLES
that have earned more or less success
The experts were asked. DO you adNo-
cate tight or loose grip or racket
Nearly all said tight. while some tighten
ur as they strike. The other questions
on grip were: "If your grip varies. on
which strokes do you relax" How
near the end Of the handle does the ball
of your hand rest?' d o change
your grin for the forehand and back
hand" do you use your thumb up
the handle on the b~ackhand|' De
scribe the grip YOU use for forehand
and ~backhand.'
The succeeding topics in different
chapters are eyes on the ball. root
the swing and hitting the ball"
the forehand stroke "the hackhand
stroke "volleying." the service 1.-THE
first return" the twist of the ball"
position play match play
doubles play" mixed doubles"
ethics and etiquette" and 'raokets. balls.
shoes. &c" Each player gives his idea
on each topic.
The book is full OF Illustrations. The
frontispiece is a photograrure portrait
of Richard Norris Williams I'd, the ma
tional champion. and there are forty
nine full page halftones which illustrate
the many points discussed. The best
known players are used to show how
to hit the bail. finish the stroke. the
service. English style OF
volleying, lobs. smashes. So.
1t is rather singular that all the
experts agree that a racket II to 14ia
ounces IN weight is the best. Nearly
all like small handles. but on the cues
ton of shoes Williams likes sneakers,
Little heavy soles, Behr sneakers. Dixon
says the feet are better protected in
heavy soled shoes and Church says
are worth at least half fifteen
playing on a hard court.
The book is printed handsomely and
the variety of opinions expressed make
II very interesting ana of great value
TO all who like TO study theories. The
concludes by saying: While il is
no doubt true that too much theory
and too little practice make a poor com
good practi,e must be based
on sound theory" The book gives all
Inc theories one could wish and with
these we'll studied and with good practice
the symposium OF ideas should no NJ
great he!p to all lawn tennis players.
me book is published by American
Tennis.