New-York tribune., 1920-01-25
Rule Changes
Will Enliyen
Tennis Session
Propose New System of
Competition for National
Doubles S Championship

The meeting of the United States
National Lawn Tennis Association, to be
held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on
Friday, February 6, may bring about
some Of the most radical changes in
American tennis rules that have been
made since the Introduction of the
game into this country.
For the last three or four months
various committees have been revising
the constitution in drastic manner, not
only as regards the rules, but also as
regards the organization and voting
power of the association, and new
system Of competition for the national
doubles championship. Delegates from
every section of the country will be
present at this meeting next month,
and all indications point to a very
lively session of the national body.
In recommending a new code of rules,
the committee, which included s. Wal
lis Merrlhaw. Richard N. Williams Cd,
beals c. Wright, Abraham Bassford
Jr Edward c. Conlin, Samuel Hardy
and Watson M. Washburn, reported con-
cluSlonS reached after months of study,
No effort has been spared to simplify
the text. so the changes in wording are
extensive. The changes in meaning,
however, involve only few rules, one
being the sixth. relating to footfaults.
This will be altered to read:
Before commencing to serve the
server shall stand with both feet at
rest behind, i. e., further from the
net than, the baselne and within the
limits of the center mark and the
sideline. Both feet shall be kept
behind the baseline until the racquet
strikes the ball"
Would Eliminate "Love"
The suggested method of scoring elm
mates the use of $780," Glove"
deuce and similar terms, which have
long been Il part of the phraseology Of
the game, and counts on a point basis.
|, 2, 3. etc. If the server wins the
first point, it is called "onc-in." If the
receiver wins the first point it is
called "oneout." If the server has won
three points and the receiver one. it is
called "threeo one" and so on until either
player has won four points If one
player has four points and the other
three points, the score is called "thrce-
tour or "four-three,' as the case may
be. and the game is scored for the PLAYER
who first thereafter gains lead of two
points.
In the new system Of handicaps
points are allotted to the players. to be
added to the points scored At the end
OF set the allotted points are added
to those scored and the player with
the larger total wins the set, regardless
or the games won or lost.
The constitutional amendments CHANCE
the voting system by apportioning votes
to clubs on the basis Of their member
snip, instead OF giving one vote to each
club, as at present. Dues are deter
mined IN the same ratio as votes. so
that club pays dues and votes entirelr
on the basis of it's numerical strength.
Clubs IN which tennis is fostered only
IN connection with other sports have
their votes limited. so that large ath-
letic associations or country cluhs
would not be permitted votes ont of
proportion to their tennis membership.
To Charter Associations.
Sectional associations will hereafter
be chartered by the national assoxi-
atlon and Will furnish the medium
through which clubs in their territory
become atli illated with the national
California section. to which these pro-
posaIs Will first apply, will join its
city association. which is a member OF
the sectlonal the sectional in turn be-
ing member Of the L. S. \. L. T. A
Other sections which wish to proceed
on tins plan of organization may apply
10 the annua meeting for a charter.
Inc new plan for doubles will permit
the entry OF teams of established class,
without qualification through Il sec
lonaI championship. In the past entry
has been limited to the winners of the
sectional events. Such teams, under
the proposed arrangements, will also
be eligible for the national and their
railroad fare from their section to the
national will be paid by the U. S. N.
l.. +. A. 1t is believed that this method
VIII permit more uniform development
OF doubles competition throughout the
country.
In the call for the meeting the re-
ports Of thirty committees are sched-
u!ed. These deal with all aspects of
the game, from its promotion among
young players to challenge for the
Davis cup in 1920.