El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-10-27

NEW YORK, Oct 1l.-Drinlons az
IN 10 the specifications TO be en-
bodied in the ideal lawn tennis
racquet have been undergoing some
what revolutionary. changes during
the past Few years Norman L.
Brookes. the famous Australian. for
instance. upsets some OF the pet
theories as 10 weight and string
ing. IN his younger days on the
courts Brookes was 10 be counted
among the speed maui1cs- He said
so while he was here Later ne
learned that science, which may pc
transposed 70 mean strategy, IS apt
to win the game Since that time ne
has been more successful as he mod
estly admitted
Racquet Is Inportnnt-
One Of the things he paid particG-
lar attention TO was his racquet IL
is one OF his theories that the ma
jority OF the weapons used by the
famous players are much too tightly
strung. he uses one with loose
stringing. a heavy gouge gut. and a
small handle taperinE so that ne
readily grips e without any strain
ing. Re fav0rs Il ounces in weight
There are 50 many OF the
younger players who are seeking
TO learn the best ty1e of WEAPON
and there has been 50 much DIS
Cussion OF the subject since the
competitions q the Australians
were here that one Of the famous
players was recently induced 10
give his views ns to the points 20
he carefully observed IN choosing
Four Points TO Consider.
In his opinion there are four s1e-
cific points 70 be carefully consld-
ered-tke weight. the balance. the
size OF handle and the shape
It IS important that a player select
a racquet as heavy as he can conven-
ientlv use without going 10 the ex-
IRENE Of selecting one TOO heavy Tor
his strength There are two import
ant reasons for this 1t has been
demonstrated that the best second
growth white ash that IS heavy and
OF wen knit fibre IS the strongest for
with weight. Is TO be desired. because
the modern ban is somewhat heavier
than OF several years ago
Consequently its impact upon
the surface Of the racquet D.
greater, and the heavier weapon
f. needed 10 counter1ct this shock.
The main thing Is to select n rae
ouet sufficiently heavy, but not
overweight enough TO impair the
uufckness and accuracy OF the
stroke. II Is not difficult for the
PLAYER, who has had little e1-
perience TO determine these things
for himself
Balance is practically as important
as weight. often q poorly balanced
racquet VIII feel heavier than one
well balanced. although an ounce
or more welehtier. A well balanced
one should balance anywhere from
1919 inches to 1919 inches. measuring
80 q d WHr
case OF a very powerful player. a
racquet Weighty in the head or bal
ancing over 1879 inches from the
handle would be OF benefit BY In
creasing the power OF his stro ke-
William n Johnston, the champion
favors a racquet heavy in the head
as Il imparts greater power for his
faster shots without increasing mus
Handle should BE Good.
The size OF the handle Is not TO be
zliehted. The general idea that the
player should grip his racquet tight
IL at all times is erroneous The rae
Duet sh01ld be Stripped tightly only
al the moment OF impact OF the ball
At other times a fairly loose. but firm
grip is advisable. the reason being
that a tight grip cramps the muscles
OF the arms and interferes with the
start OF the stroke. Necessarily the
size OF the handle VIII depend upon
the size OF the hand
Perhaps the shape OF the rae
quef. that a. the racquet head. a.
the least Important OF the four
considerations TO be observed.
The average American player pre-
fers the broad ovni type and the
European the slim eiipticul shape.
Broolxe's racquet a the old ,tri-
angular shape, the top OF the bow
being nearly square, the prefer
ence OF The players Of this coun-
Try for the broader type o. due
to the tremendous Development OF
spin and cut 50 generally In use
here.
OF this country always TO put some
thing on the ball" The English and
foreigners have recently neglected
this department OF stroking The ball
should Have Big Head.