The New York herald., 1922-12-22
NATIONS AGREE UPON
U.S.. TENNIS RULES
Delegates in London Also Vote
in Favor Of Rest Period
in Matches.
BY STANLEY \. DoUsT.

Special Gable 10 THE NEW YoRK HERALD
Copyright, 1929. bp THE New YORK HERALD
New York IIeraid Bureau.
London. Dec. 81.
Agreement on important rules has
been reached by the Intt irrational Ten
mis- Federation rules board. including
the size of the ball. foot fault and rest
periods The meetings were held in
secret. but it is understood the best
possible feeling prevailed. The question
OF title 10 the worlds championship
which has caused something like breach
between the Americans ard the British,
is not yet settled, but Henry Slocum.
the United States delegate. tells me he
Is very hopeful of an amicable settle
ment In sight
There exists at present very little
difference in the meaning of the rules
of each nation, the differences being
mostly In terminology. These. In the
minor rules, have bsen rectitied. But al
ways there have been three contentious
rules likely to cause misunderstandins-
chiefly the rest rule. which never existed
In England.
The delegates recommended that the
following regulations be referred to the
respective associations for approval
The size of the ball Is to be not less
than two and one-half inches and not
more than two and five-oighths In dmm-
eter its weight not less than two ana
not more than two and one-siXteenth
ounces. This is the English size and
the American weight o. resiliency or
the ball is to be the same as already
exists In America. excepi with mini
mum bound of Atty inches instead OF
forty-fve.
Foot Fault Rule same.
The root fault rule has practically
the same meaning as before, but now
reads: Immediately before commencing
to serve. the server shall stand with
both feet Mt rest behind or further from
the net than the base line. ana withih
imaginary combinations or the center
mark and side line. From the moment ne
takes his stand and until he strikes the
ball with his racquet both feet must
remain behind the base line. and one
foot. at least must remain In continu-
Gus contact with the ground. TINS is
substantially the rule effective in the
United States.
While the language is clearer than the
original rule. administration OF the law
remains as difficult. foot fauitlng
player will get off scot free IN this
country unless ne is SatiSlleu tue ioVe
fault judge is efficient. 1t would nave
been better if theN board had concen-
trated on simpler law to administer
rather than simplifying the language
To Change Rest Period.
The American rule No. "a, applying TO
the rest period for players OF rive
set match. is to be altered and ADOPTED
to read: PLAY shall be continuous from
the first service until the match Is con-
cuded, except that after the third set,
or where women take part. after the
second, either of the play shall be en-
titled to a rest which shall not exceed
ten minutes: except further that when
recessitated by circumstances not within
the control of the players. the umpire
may suspend play for such period as he
may consider necessary"
The only comment have to make is
that. owing to difference OF climate, II
would have been better to make the
rule local one. allowing each nation
to use its own judgment.