Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-25
CONCENTRATION KEY
TO TENNIS SUCCESS
..#.. ...... 49, w. T. TLDEN
Worlds Champion Makes
Big Hit in Fairmount
Park by Talk to CROWD
and Great Playing
DEFEATS GARLAND
BY sPICK HALL

" success IN lawn tennis, according
to Bill Tilden, the worlds singles
cbampion. Not only that but he states
that any one can become, not just a
good player, but real high grade per-
former on the courts II he or she will
concentrate on the game and learn the
fundamentals. Tilden made these state
ments and several others yesterday af- :.
ternoon to 5000 tennis fans who gath
cred around the championship courts at
Strawberry Mansion in Fairmount
Park, where he played Charles 8. Gar
land, another member of the United
States Davis Cup team and also the
worlds doubles champion with Il. N.
Williams.
An hour before Tilden and Garland
were scheduled to have their match all
of the seats around the two courts. were
occupied and the overflow crowded
around those sitting to get a glimpse of
the famous Philadelphian. When Bill
arrived arrayed in his Wimbledon
sweater, he was greeted with roars of
applause which lasted several minutes.
Bill looked little fused but he smiled
to say a few words to the crowd. There
we're people lined up on four sides Of
the two courts, yet Tilden made an
excellent speech and one which every
body could hear.
Eye on the Ball
Concentration is the cardinal prinr-
ciple Of tennis Success said the cham
pion. II am sure that any one who
wishes to play tennis seriously can do so
II he or she concentrates and gets the
fundamentals Of the game. That is the
first thing. The mott 10 to keep the
eye on tbs ball at all times. This rule,
Oh COURSE, Is one Of tho fundamentals
Of all athletics, but ID is even more
essential IN tennis than in any other
branch of sports. Another important
thing is learn to make your stroke
correctly, and the main thin gin that
is to always hit the ball when the
body is at right angles to the net.
That is the only accurate position that
can be assumed and is absolutely neces-
sary for success.
"Another thing that must be done is
to learn how to grip the racquet. This
Is done bySholding the racquet face on
at right angles to the ground with the
left hand and then shaking hands with
racquet
Illustrates Points
Tilden illustrated all of his points.
He showed how small an angle the
server has to get the ball into the oppo-
site court even if he is six -footer. He
made this point to impress upon the fans
how necessary it is to hit the ball at as
great height as possible in making the
delivery. He also explained the foot
Ca, L. hot ho
mistaken and he illustrated footfault
and the correct method of serving when
following 1t to the net.
After telling the thousands how to
play tennis, Bill proceeded to show them
and he did Nin q manner that was ex =
tremely impressive. He had Garland as
his opponent in the singles and defeated
him in two sets at Ga, 1913. At first
Garland did not get into the fray very
well because he had just got of train
from Pittsburgh and had difficulty in
getting used to the strong glare. Yes
terdsy's match, by the way, was the first
that either Tilden or Garland has
played on dirt since before they left for
Europe early in the summer. When
that fact is considered their playing
was wonderful, for the difference be-
tween playing on dirt and grass is so
great that it takes the average men two
or three weeks to get used to change
from one to the oher.
Fast Doubles Match
After the singles match, Tilden and
Carl Fischer. Cynwyd's star young
left-hander, met Garland and Joe
Thayer in doubles. Tilden and Fischer
took the first set, Ga. In the second
set the count reached Gall when the
players decided to let the thirteenth
game decide the set because Garland and
TldeD had to catch an early train to
New. York, from where they 80 to
southampton to play in the doubles.
Garland and Thayer took the deciding
seen the greatest exhibition Of lawn
tennis ever staged in Fairmount Park,
Tilden's appearance in Paramount
Park means great deal more than
simply an exhibition Of skill. 1t means
that tennis here Is being officially recog-
nized as one of the major sports. The
Park guards were on tho lob and every
thing was run in fine style, with Al
Hoskins In the umpire's chair for the
singles and Joseph NJ. Jennings, ma
tional tennis treasurer, official in the
doubles. A force of competent lines
men also was present.
lonnlS IN Ine rark lb Certuln 10 DOOM
now after Tilden's exhibition. The
tennis king has always been willing to
help the game and tho individuals learn
Ing. That was his reason for playing
and talking IN the Park.
1t will be remembered that he con-
sented to play as soon as he was asked,
about an hour after he had landed in
america from his great invasion of
Europe. Shortly after having said that
ne would play In the Park he turned
down the offers made by the Newport
tournament committee to play there.
This is an example of the caliber of
neHpion Bill, Gan any one imagine
1aSk Dempsey or great baseball player
going out Into the Park and helping out
In the branch Of sport In which they
eIcelf Not exactly, unless there hap
pened to be large wad Of greenbacks
as an inducemsnt.
Yet the champion of the world in
@nnis did this, and he win do 1t again
ana many times II he thinks that his
presence In the Park will be beneficial
p.1the % 1the development of the game in