Doubles Tactics.

In the doubles game, Quist practices what he preaches. Reputed to be the finest doubles player in the world, he advocates the attacking doubles formation.

"One man should always be up at the net, even when the opposition is serving," he asserted. One of the striking features of his play was the rapidity with which he himself reached the net after serving, although to the close observer it appeared that he came close to foot-faulting in his eagerness to follow in on this powerful weapon or his. And at the net the terrific power with which he punched his volleys and smashes was a revelation: seldom was there an effective reply.

The desired position at the net being attained, the player should stand at a distance from it commensurate with his height—a short man should stand further away than a tall man. The player receiving service should always stand well in on the service and endeavour to hit the ball on the rise, thus gaining time. In singles however, the receiver may stand further back, for the time element is less important than in doubles, where a weak return of service Is welcomed by the opposing net man.

"Should the ball be hit before it [unclear: ches] the top of its bound, at the top, of when it is falling?" the Davis Cup player was asked.

Quist's opinion was unequivocal.

"Before it, reaches the top of its bound, that is, on the rise." be replied. "Salient" called to mind the name of Fred Perry, most famous of the players of the rising ball.

Quist does not approve of the playing of sets as a means of practice. Club players should content themselves with, in the main, trying to perfect their strokes on the courts and not allow the element of competition for points to enter when they are practising.