The Spike: or, Victoria University College Review, June 1921

Tennis

Tennis

Sketch of man hitting tennis ball

The tennis season opened with a Yankee Tournament, which proved a great success and such events should certainly be given greater prominence during the season.

Due to the endeavours of an energetic committee, the Club's championship events were held in November and December, instead of being completed somewhere about March. The winners of the events were: Champion Singles, men's. H. Williams; ladies', E. Waldie; Champion Combined Doubles, Miss M. Gibbs and Mr. Myers.

In the New Year the Club was unfortunate to lose the services of Mr. Edmondson who was one of the hardest workers the Club has had for several years, and it was mainly due to his endeavours that the early part of the season was such a success.

In the latter part of the season the Club affairs lagged considerably with the result that the usual number of matches against outside Clubs did not eventuate. It is to be hoped that the future will see some workable plan whereby such matches the importance of which is apparently yet to be realised by members, will become an accomplished fixture.

As usual, the question of selection for the Inter-varsity Tournament tennis team has once more come to the front. It is apparent that the system at present prevailing is quite hopeless and that a great improvement is required. The best suggestion is that there should be appointed a selection committee consisting of the Club Captain together with two elected members. The decisions of such committee to be absolutely final.

The chief danger now threatening the Club, as revealed by the past season, is the practice of certain of the members, who occupy the top rungs of the ladder, to devote practically the whole of their time to playing tennis at the other clubs in the city. The ostensible reason is the lack of good players at the College Courts, and therefore the impossibility of improvement. The members in question apparently do not realise that if they all played at College and were keen enough to arrange matches with other Clubs that their play would improve quite as much and probably to a much greater extent than is noticeable as a result of their peregrinations.

Notes on the Players.

Miss Waldie's steadiness and cross court drive are her chief assets enabling her to remain at the top of the ladder.

Miss Sievwright has several brilliant shots, but lacks the steadiness of some of her opponents.

Miss Fenton's play has not improved during the season other than her net play, which is now fair.

Miss Martin and Miss Myers have shown most improvement and should in the near future prove good players.

Mr. Gibb's style is chiefly famous for the marvellous amount of energy displayed but, unfortunately, he finds it well nigh impossible to last a five set match.

Mr. Stainton's knowledge of the game stands him in good stead and enables him to defeat his more skilful opponents.

Mr. Byrne is a psychological player, and on many occasions finds himself defeated by his temperament more than by his opponent.

Misses Broad and Williams are chiefly famous as base line players, and the fact that they give undue importance to steadiness and lobbing.

Mr. Haigh is a somewhat steady player with a fairly good forehand drive as his chief asset.

What is most lacking at the Courts is a coach, and it is to be hoped that the Committee will give earnest consideration to this crying need. At present most of the players seem to have but one idea in view, namely, to win the set they are engaged in, the idea of improving their play and practising definite shots being cuite lost sight of.