New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-07-16
T.awn Tennis FOLLOWERS
Keep Their Eyes on laps

he spent at the University OF Chicago
where he took a special course IN eco
Monies and in English.
Both men have the low stature OF
their race. Mikami is heavier thsn
KumaCae. but wears wrist watch
Each man has great amount OF en-
durance Kumagse has the most, iol
he was the mier on the keio track
team. and loves nothing more than
tcnnis encounter that lasts for hours.
Kumagae does not wear wrist
watch. but. like Mikami. he has taken
nm the Occidental habit OF chewing
cur, when offered it. Each man is
so pohte. with true Japanese courtesy;
that he would accept chocolate coated
ncanut shells for fear Of offending the
giver.
For the last four years Kumagae and
Mikami have played, for the most part;
with the customary canvas-covered
tennis ball. Up TO that time they had
used the ball that is even now quite
general in Japan. large. all-rubber'
hollow sphcre. with diameter an men
and a half larger than the standard
ball. The native Japanese ball does
not bounce very high, and humagae
and Mikami are not yet entirely used
to the shooting balls of the Occl-
dentals. Because they learned the
came on low bounces. they do not like
the asphalt courts Of the Pacific Coast.
Play for Sports Sake.
ave play for sports sake only ex-
plains Mikami. 1--WE do not have the
professionals in Japan. There are
professional wrestlers. but they be-
LONG to-you know class. We do
not charge admission 70 tennis or
baseball matches between keio and
Waseda. or other universities. except
when an American team comes over
and we wish to pay their expenses.
Three or four thousand spectators
come TO see tennis matches between
the big rivals. Keio and Waseda. And
there is cheering and yelling, Just like
here AT your baseball. As between
baseball and tennis in Japan, can
no. tell which is the more popular.
There are courts all over the empire,
Boys play the game in Japan lar
more than girls, but there is no bar TO
girls playing. Mixed doubles we DO
not play. We will have TO import your
Miss Biurstedt. There are lots of fne
young players in Japan. and more VIII
come. Kumagae will come back next
vear-is il not so. Ichiya? But for me
this is the last time. Ny partner VIII
have one Of the young players as his
partner. probably either Nomura or
Tanaka. who are good.
The Japs plan to play next at the
Point Judith invitation tournament, |
which is on grass. and then follow the
chain Of big grass court events Leading
IN to the national championships at
Forset Hills. They will play doubles !
together at all these places. unless they
become so stale as to require rest.
Use American Twist.
Kumacae and Mikami both serve the /
American twist. Each learned to i'm /
mart twist. which is overspin on the /
ball. caused by hitting over the sphere
from above with a closed racket.
Mikami's delivery is not so fast. so /
deep or so high bounding as humaSaes'
whose service adds effectiveness pc
cause he is left-handed. Give Mlkami
Kumacae's service and forehand to
como TO the net on and he would be a
GREAT PLAYER indeed. Kumagae. back
court player. seldom follows his de-
livery in. and thus loses great zeal
of attacking power.
Nikami is the better at the net
When they played doubles together IN
japan Mikami always held the net po-
sition. while Kumagae, with his power +
ful forehand drive and fast footwork'
patrolled the back court. American |
Lurrv-up tactics have forced the south
nav 70 close in with Mkami, and he |
is RAPIDLY learning an aggressive VOL
leving game. In singles, however, he /
still prefers to stick in the rear, as ne
lacks the confidence in net play that
he has in doubles.
Kamagae's forehand drive ls a great
enc. and il is more than a weapon OF |
defence only. even when his opponent
comes to forecourt, for the oriental
shoots il fast for one corner or the
other. His backhand, while good !
naturally does not measure up 10 MS
forehand. and he expressed much sur
prise when told that the American
nlaver Theodore Roosevelt Pell, whose /
backhand is the best in this country
actually prefers the ball on his OIL slde
ana runs around 70 take 1t there.
Mikami's ground strokes are the
short, topped 'cross-court drives OF the
tvne possessed by George Carleton
Cb9fer. of New York, who is about the
same size and build. Mikami is steady,
I'M not fast enough on volleys, service
end ground strokes TO beat first rank
rlaver unless the star happens to be
sliohtlv off his game and erratic HIS
steadiness makes Mikami better IN
doubles than in singles. Kumagae mas
greater speed and greater possiDllities
and constitutes a veritable yellow
Peril.