the art of lawn tennis(网球的艺术)-第14章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Remember that the strongest defence is to attack； for if the other man
is occupied in meeting your attack； he will have less time to formulate his
own system。
If you are playing a very steady man； do not strive to beat him at his
own game。 He is better at it than you in many cases； so go in and hit to
win。 On the other hand； if you find that your opponent is wild and prone to
miss； play safe and reap the full crop of his errors。 It saves you trouble and
takes his confidence。
ABOVE ALL； NEVER CHANGE A WINNING GAME。
ALWAYS CHANGE A LOSING GAME； since； as you are getting
beaten that way； you are no worse off and may be better with a new style。
The question of changing a losing game is a very serious thing。 It is
hard to say just when you are really beaten。 If you feel you are playing
well yet have lost the first set about 6…3 or 6…4； with the loss of only one
service； you should not change。 Your game is not really a losing game。 It is
simply a case of one break of service； and might well win the next set。 If；
however； you have dropped the first set in a 2 out of 3 match with but one
or two games； now you are outclassed and should try something else。
Take chances when you are behind； never when ahead。 Risks are only
worth while when you have everything to win and nothing to lose。 It may
spell victory； and at least will not hasten defeat。 Above all； never lose your
nerve or confidence in a match。 By so doing you have handed your
47
… Page 48…
THE ART OF LAWN TENNIS
opponent about two points a gamea rather hard handicap to beat at your
best。
Never let your opponent know you are worried。 Never show fatigue or
pain if it is possible to avoid； since it will only give him confidence。
Remember that he feels just as bad as you； and any sign of weakening on
your part encourages him to go on。 In other words； keep your teeth always
in the match。
Don't worry。 Don't fuss。 Luck evens up in the long run； and to worry
only upsets your own game without affecting your opponent。 A smile wins
a lot of points because it gives the impression of confidence on your part
that shakes that of the other man。 Fight all the time。 The harder the strain
the harder you should fight； but do it easily； happily； and enjoy it。
Match play； where both men are in the same class as tennis players；
resolves itself into a battle of wits and nerve。 The man who uses the first
and retains the second is the ultimate victor。
I do not believe in a man who expects to go through a long tournament；
going 〃all out〃 for every match。 Conserve your strength and your finesse
for the times you need them； and win your other matches decisively； but
not destructively。 Why should a great star discourage and dishearten a
player several classes below him by crushing him； as he no doubt could？ A
few games a set； well earned； would be a big factor in encouraging that
rising player to play in tournaments； while it would in no way injure the
reputation of the star。
Never hurry your opponent by serving before he is fully set to receive。
This is a favourite trick of a few unscrupulous players； yet is really an
unfair advantage。 Do your hurrying after the ball is in play； by running
him to unexpected places in the court。 Should anyone attempt to work the
hurried service on you； after several attempts； proving it is intentional； let
the ball go by and say 〃not ready。〃 The server will shortly realize that you
will take your time regardless of him； and he will slow up。
I do not advocate stallingnothing is worse。 It is a breach of ethics that
is wholly uncalled for。 Play the game naturally； and give your opponent
full courtesy in all matters。 If you do； you will receive it in return。
Take every advantage of any and every weakness in your opponent's
48
… Page 49…
THE ART OF LAWN TENNIS
game； but never trespass on his rights as regards external advantages。
Personally I do not believe in 〃defaulting〃 a match。 To 〃scratch〃 or
〃retire；〃 as the term goes； is to cheat your opponent of his just triumph；
and you should never do this unless it is absolutely impossible to avoid。
Sickness or some equally important reason should be the sole cause of
scratching； for you owe the tournament your presence once your entry is
in。
Match play should stimulate a player。 He should produce his best
under the excitement of competition。 Learn your shots in practice； but use
them in matches。
Practice is played with the racquet； matches are won by the mind。 J。 C。
Parke is a great match player； because he is not only a great player but a
great student of men。 He sizes up his opponent； and seizes every opening
and turns it to his own account。 Norman E。 Brookes is the greatest match
player the world has ever known； because he is ever ready to change his
plan to meet the strategy of his opponent； and has both the variety of
stroke and versatility of intellect to outguess the other the majority of
times。 Brookes is the greatest court general； and； in my opinion； the finest
tennis intellect in the world。 His mind is never so keen and he is never so
dangerous as when he is trailing in an important match。 He typifies all that
is great in mental match tennis。
A great star is always at his best in a match； as it stimulates his mental
and physical faculties to the utmost。
Certain players are more effective against some men than others who
are not so good。 It is the uncertainty of match tennis that is its greatest
charm。 Two men may meet for tennis during a season； and be so closely
matched that each man will win two matches and the score seem almost
one…sided each time。 It is a case of getting the jump on the other player。
During 1919 Johnston and I met four times。 Twice he defeated me；
once in four sets； and once in three； while the two victories that were mine
were scored in identically the same number of sets。 The most remarkable
meeting of two stars was the series of matches between R。 L。 Murray and
Ichija Kumagae during the seasons of 1918 and 1919。 In the early stages
Murray had a decided advantage； winning from Kumagae consistently； but
49
… Page 50…
THE ART OF LAWN TENNIS
by close scores。 Early in 1919 Kumagae unexpectedly defeated Murray at
Buffalo in four sets。 From that moment Kumagae held the whip hand。 He
defeated Murray at Niagara…on…the…Lake a week later。 Murray barely
nosed out the Japanese star at Cleveland in five sets after Kumagae had
the match won； only to have Kumagae again defeat him in a terrific match
at Newport in August。
Kumagae's game is very effective against Murray； because Murray；
essentially a volleyer； could not exchange ground strokes with the
Japanese star player successfully； and could not stand the terrific pace of
rushing the net at every opportunity。 Kumagae conclusively proved his
slight superiority over Murray last season。
Vincent Richards； who is not yet the equal of Murray； scored two
clean…cut victories over Kumagae during the same period。 Why should
Richards worry Kumagae； who is certainly Murray's superior； and yet not
cause Murr
