The Washington times., 1928-08-28

D Al YAREZ.
IS GIRL Ne I /.
S[lIGGER
By Helen Wills
Copyright. 1925. by King Features
syndicate, Incl

by 0S16n w AAAo
downright 1928. by King Features
Syndicate, 1nc.l
Who has the best forehand
drive among women tennis
players?
There are, of course, diff
ferent opinions on this, but
there can be no doubt that at
Wimble don, that famous
gathering place Of famous
players, it was the forehand
drive of Senorita Lii de Alva-
req which most impressed the
spectators.
The forehand drive is an ex'
tremely important stroke in ten
mis-. That OF Senorita de Alvarez
has improved materially since last
wear. both in speed and accuracy, I'M
iii today it is the fastest stroke
of its kind displayed by any OF the
women players. Even Lenglen,
who had such a remarkable roper
toire Of strokes. could not have
equaled Senorita de Alvarez's fore
hand in speed.
The next fastest fOrehand
stroke belongs to an English
woman, Mrs. Watson. who was
3 member Of this years Wight
man Cup team. Aside from
the fact that the Spanish girls
drive travels i'm the air faster
than Mrs. WatsOn's, there is q
fundamental difference In the
way the two players execute
the stroke.
Incidentally, this difference is
exactly the same as that between
Senorita de Alverez's stroke and
that Of any other woman player.
Most players hit the ball, when
using this backstroke, when 1t has
reached the top OF its bound, or
maybe just q trifle afterward--but
not De Alvarez. The thing that
makes her unique is the manner
in which she takes her ball. With
q graceful, easy stroke she hits it
on the rise, Immediately after it
has struck the ground. In terms
Of tennis this is a half-volley. Gem
orally the half-volley is regarded
- n SLFOk0 Which, CdH UC uSSa
occasionally, a difficult shot and
one which carries with it a certain
amount OF risk. ANY top player
would hesitate before saying II
am going to take every ball in this
match on the half-volley," but it
happens that this is the only way
De Alvarez plays. She takes all her
fcrehand strokes on the half-volley,
and, what is more, drives them
with tremendous speed and sur
prising accuracy.
A prettier game to watch
hardly can be imagined, and it is
this stroke which has helped q
lot to make her the prime favor.
lite with Wimbledon galleries
which the Spanish girl has be-
come.
Alvarez's method Of play requires
an absolutely true surface and she
IS, for this reason, undoubtedly bet
ter on clay courts than upon grass.
She would be faster even upon the
surface of California courts. which is
asphalt.
The time gained by taking the ball
on the rise in the forehand stroke,
AA10tCd0 VI d4SGE ~ HAS NSdClCu Tie
height OF its bound, is surprising,
and the advantage it gives over an
adversary is truly worth while. This
Is one OF the reasons why De Al
varez, whole game is faster than
that Of other women.
1t Is unfortunate that the
brilliant Spanish girl has not
come to the United States to
play. IL is unlikely that she
ever will. She said after VIM
bledon this year that she had
had enough of tournaments for
the season land anyway, /
could not stand your heat"
1t is true that the tournaments
abroad and their climax, Wimble-
don, are quite enough tennis for
any player in one season, so Seno-
rita de Alvarez has gone to LIE
Touquet, where she spends her sum-
mers playing tennis quietly with
her friends and bathing in che sea.
1t is particularly to be regretted
that she does not come 10 this
country because OF her personal
bcharm, aside from her tennis ability.
She is figure that attracts atten-
sfion wherever she goes and she Is
not only intelligent but IL intel
t1ectual. Her command OF five
languages is only a part of her
many accomplishments.