New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-09

Good work requires good tools. and
the mastery OF any sport requires 'he
aid Of implements that VIII help the
PLAYER. not hamper him. Mi,h cheap
"composition" balls the billiard player
cannot execute many OF the dihcu''
shots of that game; with poor goi
clubs much Of the chance TO make me
strokes disappears, and in lawn tennis
il il the same thing. With dead
balls and nets that sag in the centre
one cannot expect to enjoy the game
properly.
But the most important OF the impie-
ments of tennis is the racket, ana 700
much care cannot be used IN selecting
one. even for the novice VINO IS uS'
learning 20 play the strokes. IL IS IKE
throwing ones money away 10 ouy the
cheap rackets made for children when
ere so often seen in the market. II IS
moor economy, too. for better one IS
generally cheaper in the long run. Inc
Cheap frames soon warp out OF shape
and the so-called "Oriental' gut, when
is not real "catgut" at all. but man
ufacturcd substitute for the real arti.
Gle. lacks elasticity and will not hold
It's "life" long.
Do not select too heavy racket,
either. For a beginner 1879 ounces IS
generally best. although small boys and
women can often use one of Is ounces
better. and full-srown man VIII not
find II ounces too heavy. Before II Is
bought the new racket should be tested
20 see if il is we'll balanced, and sim
plc test for one who is not expert IS
10 balance the racket across the first
finger Of the left hand See illustra-
tom The finger should rest about the
middle Of the triangular throat piece,
If the racket is well balanced, and gen
erallv between the two screws that so
through from the side 10 strengthen
the frame. If the head sinks quickly
when it rests on the finger here the
racket is probably top-heavy, and will
be hard TO swing. while. on the con-
trary. if the handle sinks fast at this
balance. the racket will probably lack
driving power.
For those who have had more ex-
perience in handling tennis rackets a
better method for testing the balance
is to take the racket under considera-
ton by the extreme end, holding it as
though about 10 make "A stroke.
Rackets vary a good deal in balance.
and it is more than likely that another
of the same make, possibly even of the
same weight, may be found salts
factory. Look out that the head is not
too light. however for the racket that
seems easiest 20 swing is often not the
best, for a light-headed racket will not
la Il
strokes as one that is balanced higher
up.
The handle Of the new racket should
not be too large. Expert players occs-
sionally prefer large handles. but for
beginners or young players small
handles are always best. The circum-
ference of the handle at its lower end
not including the leather guard or
button" at tho extreme end should
be from five TO five and one-quarter
inches The size of the handle really
should be governed by the size of the
players hand. and five and one-eighth
inches will generally be found best
suited for a hand that wears a No. 8
glove.
Il is not always easy to measure the
circumference of a racket handle as
you stand in dealers store waiting
70 buy. but the simplest method is TO
grip the racket handle tight at its
bottom and overlap the fingers on the
far side. The handle should be small
enough to allow the thumb and middle
finger to overlap a full inch. (See
iilustration)
Among tournament players il is not
uncommon to wrap the handle of the
racket with adhesive plaster or electric
tape. This is intended to keep the
racket from slipping in the hands. but
! have always found il much better 70
keep the hand dry and depend on the
natural cedar wood. which is generally
roughened or "combed" by the makers
10 keep the handle from slipping. Later
on, when the beginner has improved. it
is very easy 10 increase the size Of
the handle of his racket, if too small,
by wrapping the handle in this way.
On the other hand, cutting down the
handle, as is sometimes tried for
handles that are too large, often de-
stroys the racket's balance.
Extremely thin strings will not wear
long on dirt courts, and the very heavy
variety lacks resIliency, SO a medium
sized string is the best for general
use. Avoid the fancy styles of string
ih6 q idNhtNf d. a tuie, dANUOlBU lHeFe
Is one new variety on the market this
spring that shows an entirely new
principle by drawing all the strings
diagonally across the head, with a
diamond-shaped mesh. This method
does away entirely with the short
strings that tend 10 deaden the play
ing surface of the older style and
gives much more elasticity to the rack
ct. The absence Of short strings
also increases the playing surface
available in the centre. Beginners find
this great advantage. as they miss
fewer strokes by hitting the ball Off
the centre. and il also gives them more
speed before they learn 10 make a
full swing at the ball. For all cut
strokes this style has a great adyan-
tage over the old method Of stringlng.
Avoid tight clothes for tennis. Elan
rels are better than cotton duck or
cheviot for trousers or shl rts. Strange
as II may seem. they are cooler. too,
for they seem to absorb the pers pira-
tlon and Neep you cool. although heav-
Ter than cotton materials.
The shirt should be open az the
throat and loose. and have short
sleeves. better cut oil than turned up
or rolled, and not reaching below the
elbow IN any case. Trousers should