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and her unfortunate collapse； and finally the rise to prominence of Japan
as a leading factor in the tennis world that I have incorporated a record of
the season's outstanding features and some sidelights and personality
sketches on the new stars in the new addition of this book。
The importance of women's tennis has grown so tremendously in the
past few years that I have also added a review of the game and its progress
in America。 Not only has Mlle。 Lenglen placed her mark indelibly on the
pages of tennis history but 1921 served to raise Mrs。 Molla Bjurstedt
Mallory to the position in the world that she rightly deserves； that of the
greatest match winner of all women。 The past season brought the return to
American courts of Mrs。 May Sutton Bundy and Miss Mary Browne； in
itself an event of sufficient importance to set the year apart as one of
highest value。
The outstanding performances of the two juniors； Vincent Richards
and Arnold Jones； must be regarded as worthy of permanent recognition
and among the outstanding features of a noteworthy year。 Thus it is with a
sense of recording history… making facts that I turn to the events of 1921。
WILLIAM T。 TILDEN 2D GERMANTOWN； PHILADELPHIA
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PART I： TENNIS TECHNIQUE
STROKES AND FUNDAMENTALS
OF THE GAME
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CHAPTER I。 FOR NOVICES ONLY
I trust this initial effort of mine in the world of letters will find a place
among both novices and experts in the tennis world。 I am striving to
interest the student of the game by a somewhat prolonged discussion of
match play； which I trust will shed a new light on the game。
May I turn to the novice at my opening and speak of certain matters
which are second nature to the skilled player？
The best tennis equipment is not too good for the beginner who seeks
really to succeed。 It is a saving in the end； as good quality material so far
outlasts poor。
Always dress in tennis clothes when engaging in tennis。 White is the
established colour。 Soft shirt； white flannel trousers； heavy white socks；
and rubber…soled shoes form the accepted dress for tennis。 Do not appear
on the courts in dark clothes； as they are apt to be heavy and hinder your
speed of movement； and also they are a violation of the unwritten ethics of
the game。
The question of choosing a 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 in 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。
The average player should use a racquet that weighs between 13 1/2
and 14 1/2 ounces inclusive。 I think that the best results may be obtained
by a balance that is almost even or slightly heavy on the head。 Decide your
handle from the individual choice。 Pick the one that fits comfortably in the
hand。 Do not use too small a handle or too light a racquet； as it is apt to
turn in the hand。 I recommend a handle of 5 1/4 to 5 3/8 inches at the grip。
Do not use a racquet you do not like merely because your best friend
advises it。 It may suit him perfectly； but would not do for you at all。 Do
not start children playing tennis with an under…sized racquet。 It weakens
the wrist and does not aid the child in learning strokes。 Start a child； boy
or girl； with a full…sized racquet of at least 13 ounces。
After you have acquired your racquet； make a firm resolve to use good
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THE ART OF LAWN TENNIS
tennis balls； as a regular bounce is a great aid to advancement； while a
〃dead〃 ball is no practice at all。
If you really desire to succeed at the game and advance rapidly； I
strongly urge you to see all the good tennis you can。 Study the play of the
leading players and strive to copy their strokes。 Read all the tennis
instruction books you can find。 They are a great assistance。 I shall be
accused of 〃press… agitating〃 my own book by this statement； but such was
my belief long before I ever thought of writing a book of my own。
More tennis can be learned 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 mean miss opportunities to play。 Far from it。 Play whenever
possible； but strive when playing to put in practice the theories you have
read or the strokes you have watched。
Never be discouraged at slow progress。 The trick over some stroke you
have worked over for weeks unsuccessfully will suddenly come to you
when least expected。 Tennis players are the product of hard work。 Very
few are born geniuses at the game。
Tennis is a game that pays you dividends all your life。 A tennis racquet
is a letter of introduction in any town。 The brotherhood of the game is
universal； for none but a good sportsman can succeed in the game for any
lengthy period。 Tennis provides relaxation； excitement； exercise； and pure
enjoyment to the man who is tied hard and fast to his business until late
afternoon。 Age is not a drawback。 Vincent Richards held the National
Doubles Championship of America at fifteen； while William A。 Larned
won the singles at past forty。 Men of sixty are seen daily on the clubs'
courts of England and America enjoying their game as keenly as any boy。
It is to this game； in great measure； that they owe the physical fitness
which enables them to play at their advanced age。
The tennis players of the world wrote a magnificent page in the history
of the World War。 No branch of sport sent more men to the colours from
every country in the world than tennis； and these men returned with glory
or paid the supreme sacrifice on the field of honour。
I transgressed from my opening to show you that tennis is a game
worth playing and playing well。 It deserves your best； and only by learning
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THE ART OF LAWN TENNIS
it correctly can you give that best。
If in my book I