I expect that this initial foray of mine into the world of literary work will find a place with both novices and experts in the tennis world. I am trying to interest the student of the game by a somewhat lengthy discussion of match play, which I hope will shed a new light on the game of tennis.

I will address the novice in my opening and speak of certain matters which are second nature to the skilled player. The best tennis equipment is not a lot of good to the beginner even if he really is trying to succeed. However, one has to buy good quality; it is a saving in the end, as good quality material far outlasts poor quality gear.

It is important to always dress in tennis clothes when engaging in tennis. The question of selecting a tennis racquet is a much more serious matter. I do not advocate forcing a certain racquet upon any player. All the standard makes are excellent. It is on the weight, balance, and size of handle that the real value of a racquet frame depends, while good stringing is essential to obtain the best results.

After having bought your racquet, make a firm decision to buy only good tennis balls, as a regular bounce is a great aid to advancement, while a “dead” ball is of no use at all. If you really want to advance at tennis and progress rapidly, I strongly urge you to watch all the good tennis you can. Study the play of the leading players and strive to emulate their strokes. Read all the tennis instruction books you can get your hands on. They are a great assistance.

More tennis can be picked up off the court, in the study of theory, and in watching the best players in action, than can ever be learned in actual play. I do not advise miss opportunities to play tennis. Far from it. Play whenever you can, but try when playing to put in practice the theories you have read or the strokes you have seen.

Never let yourself become discouraged by lack of progress. The trick of playing some stroke you have worked on for weeks unsuccessfully, will suddenly come to you when least expected. Good tennis players are the product of very hard work. Very few players are born geniuses at the game. Tennis is a game that pays you interest all your life. A tennis racquet is a letter of introduction in any town.

The fellowship of tennis is universal, for none but a good sportsman can succeed in the game for any long period of time. Tennis provides relaxation, excitement, exercise, and pure enjoyment to the player who is tied hard and fast to his business until late in the afternoon.

The order of development that produces the quickest and most lasting results is: a. Concentration on the game. b. Keep the eye on the ball. c. Foot-work and weight-control. d. Strokes. e. Court position. f. Court generalship or match play. g. Tennis psychology.

Concentration. Tennis is played primarily with the mind. The best racquet technique in the world will not suffice if the playing mind is erring. There are many causes of a wandering mind in a tennis match. The chief one is loss of interest in the game. No one should play tennis with any expectation of real success unless he cares sufficiently about the game to be willing to do the practice necessary to learn the game correctly.

Pack it in immediately unless you are willing to work very hard. The weather, conditions of play or the noises in the gallery often confuse even experienced match-players playing in new surroundings. Total concentration on the game is the only cure for an erring mind, and the quicker that lesson is learned the quicker the improvement of the player.

The surest way to keep a game in focus is to try for every set, every game in the set, every point in the game and, eventually, every shot in the point. A set is merely a conglomeration of made and missed shots, and the man who misses the least is the final winner.