Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-04-15

Furthermore, after the inaugural
of the Davis cup contests in 1901
eastern players gained the furtherV
advantage of international compel
lacked at first. Such names as Sears
SIocum, Whitman. Wrenn, I4arne0 l
Wright. Ward and Davis BEGAN ii
familiar in International play beforel
the west had any chance to produce
champions with such experience
Fail In other Sections.
Tennis is played extensively through
climate often permits play the year
around, and also in every middle
western state; yet not a single PLAYER
from these places, with the possible
exception of kreigh Collins of Chics-
go, ever attained international recog-
milton. Why is it. then. that Cali
fornians alone have been able TO com
pete with success against the finest
players of the world when other west
ern and middle western players have
failed TO do so?
In the first place, Californians have
in their climate very real advantage
over players from all other states.
The equable climate that prevails IL
the San Francisco and Los Angeles
districts-the oHly sections that haze
produced notable players-permits
play throughout the year. For eight
months there is no rain whatever and
in the winter, the rainy season. the
asphalt courts, commonly used instead
of turf. make play possible during q
large part of the time, as they
quickly dry after storms, and the mild
temperature draws everyone out OF
doors
Perfect New Methods.
A second reason why Californian7
excel in tennis is their exclusive use
of the hard court; asphalt. cement, or
clay being used in preference to grass
Asphalt is the most popular surface.
and balls bound higher on it than they
do on grass. The effect of this in
creased bound has been the develop
ment OF a faster game. one which
necessitated the taking OF the ball on
the rise. and this has proved 10 be
one of the most important develop
ments of modern tennis, one which is
characteristic of such California
| champions as Mclaughlin. Johnston.
Murray, Miss Browne and May Sutton
Bundy. This method of play has noH
been adopted by practically all the
| best players of the world. including
| Tilden, Brookes. Williams, Richards,
Parke. Kingscote, Patterson. Ander-
son and Colbert.
In taking the ball on the rise-Ineet-
ing 1t half way, as II were-the Cali
| fcrnia players have acquired a peculiaT L
and unconventional racket grip for thes
forehand drive, a grip which they be
| lieve gives them better control of Al
rising ball than does the more clasScl
| grip used elsewhere. r. A. Vale. The
| noted author, believes that the Califor
MIA grip is the grip of the future. but
| Tilden, Williams. Richards and most
| European players disagree with this
view. but. aside from their peculiar
forehand grip, taking the ball on the
| rise already has become a part Of the
stroke equipment OF every great player
| Youths Are Encouraged.
A third, and. to my mind. a Very i'm
portant reason for the high grade OF
California tennis is the policy so con-
| sistently followed by the California
Tennis Association of encouraging and
| developing young players. The officers
| of the association take personal inter
| est in every junior tournament. and are
| constantly on the lookout for boys and
| girls who show any unusual playing
| ability.
| DIR. Marvin OF San Francisco. whose
| keen eye discovered Mclaughlin while
he was still an unknown public parit
player, is their most valued scout. As
| soon as a likely candidate is found he
| is given u free membership in some pri-
| of regular practice with good players
who help him in every possible way
When he has proved himself the asso-
citation sends him to play in other cities
| and in eastern tournaments. where he
| will gain a wider experience. The On
| fiuence of California tennis, which the
| California association has eXerted. be-
| cause of this wise and generous policy
| cannot be overestimated, and it is one
| that should be copied by all other sec
| lions of the country.