New-York tribune., 1920-01-10
Women Tennis
Players Kept
Busy by Coach
Miss Goss and Mrs. Mallory
Almost Direct Antitheses
in Methods on the Court
By Fred Hawthorne

who delight in the slashing, free-hitting
style of game, with spectacular rallies,
furious driving, keen volleying and ter
rife smashing, would thrill again at
the sight of Mrs. Franklin l. Mallory
and Miss Eleanor Goss in practice with
Harry McNeal, the professional instruc-
tor at the Heights Casino in Brooklyn.
These two players, without doubt
among the greatest woman stars in,
this country to-day, are almost direct
antitheses in method on the court.
A study Of their sharply contrasting
styles is fascinating and instructive,
and you unconsciously find yourself
wondering which would be the more
successful in an actual match
The question may be answered next
week. for Mrs. Mallory and Miss Goss
are on opposite sides of the draw in
the club championship women's tourna-
ment of the Heights Casino, and should
clash in the final rounl
Two Speedy Sets
The other morning I happened to be
present when Mrs. Mallory started her
session on the court with McNeal. The
FORMER national champion and the in
structor went through two sets at top
speed. There was no let-down in the
pace they set from start to finish, and
by the time the final point had been
won and lost | was satisfied that never
before had / seen any woman player
(and have seen all the greatest since
the days when the then Miss May
Sutton was at her best), who played
with such remarkable speed of stroke
and foot as the former Miss Molla
Bjurstedt showed against McNeal on
this occasion.
Be it remembered that the Casino
professional is a consistent player Of
the half volley and the rising ball.
Almost throughout the entire match
shot, and he is master Of it. Aided
by wonderful control. he sent the ball
into every unprotected spot in the
famous Morse girls court. His returns
came back over the net with such
amazing speed as to be almost un-
canny and Mrs. Mallory had to be on
the alert every second.
No chance here to get set for shot,
no chance to catch a breathing space.
1t was strike and run every moment,
and it was an inspiring sight to watch
Mrs. Mallory as she raced about her
court, taking shots herself on the half
volley when forced to it by the sheer
speed Of McNeal's attack and at other
times bringing off splendid full volleys
to the corners and tremendous fore and
backhand drives through deep court.
McNeal won by scores Of 6-2, 6-1,
with many of the games going to deuce
half a dozen times or more. The Ca
sino professional was going at top
speed himself from beginning to end,
and the result was more like a match
between two ranking men players than
between man and woman. Every
stroke on either side Of the net was
made with the maximum of pace. There
was nothing that savored Of woman's
tennis in the least.
No Smashing in Play
One Of the distinguishing features
of the play that impressed me, how
ever, was that not half dozen times
during >the> two sets did the ball rise
above the height Of the shoulder, con-
sequently there was no smashing.
Mrs. Mallory cannot smash a high
ball, and she never attempts to. but
instead waits until the ball drops about
shoulder high and then takes it on the
full volley with beautiful and power
1ul sweep OF the racquet. Perhaps. that
is the reason McNeal kept the ball al
ways low in playing with the former
national champion, but in any case the
low trajectory visibly increased the
speed of the game.
half hour after Mrs MALLORY had
le1t the court Miss Goss came ont for
her practice session with McNeal. and
~ Wss interesting to see the difference
the style OF game played by her and
YRS. Mallory No attempt was made to
most of his attention to sending IN
deep lobs, and these Miss Goss
smashed with power and finalitv that
nave rarely If ever been sen in womn's
tennis. "o'A" .
..; Above the average in height, and
with splendid physique. She has
under McNeal's conscientious teach,
ing, mastered the secret of killing" a
lop with the same frictionless sweep
OF the racquet that marks the over
nead play OF Mrs: George W. Wightman
9 "-.9 MSS Mss wary Browne, Of California,
stroke O''i4iu 'i'e
A1ter protracted session of smash
ing Miss Goss switched to a deep court
session Of forehand driving. with Nc
Neal Tye ever urging speed and more speed
MS pupil. gets tremendous amount
Of Of power into these strokes, and lately
s1e 81 ma mas oeen putting an unusual amount
OF TOP on the ball, so that she is
able to use her full strength and at
the same time keep the bali within the
court -AA ''o
Miss Goss next had a long session
Of o. voIleying, and here she showed
olstlhct Improvement over her work
or lest season. She is quicker in reach
ing mid-ccurt from her base line and
ner yolleying is more decisive and m
der better control
with her terrific service and her
splendid reach this ability to vo.ley
waandn. anu TO smash I'm s1: should prove mighty
she, faces Mrs. Mallory and the other
leading players Of the country during
the coming season of outdoor plav
look to see the New York girl reach
greater heights than ever before in