Tennis scarcely needs an introduction. It is one of the finest games—for girls or men—we have, and it has proved its worth through years and years of play.

Tennis is played on a rectangular court, either of turf, clay or cement, provided that it is level. The dimensions of the court for doubles are 36 by 78 feet. The 78-foot lines are known as the side lines; the others as the end or base lines. Parallel to each base line and 18 feet distant from are two service lines, drawn from side service line to side service line. Parallel to each side line and 4½ feet distant from them is a side service line, drawn from end line to end line. A line exactly in center joins the two service lines, thus making four service courts. The net is stretched exactly across the center of the court, and should be 3 feet high in the middle. It is desirable that there be no obstructions within 3 feet of the court on the side and 12 feet at ends, and that there should be backstops of considerable height. The posts to which net is attached should be 3 feet away from the court.

The game may be played by two, three or four players, who bat a ball across the net with a racket until one or the other fails to return the ball. If only two play (or, as it is termed, “singles”), the side lines are dispensed with and the side service lines are the boundary lines (27 × 78 feet).

The ball is put in play by the server. The courts and service are determined by a toss; the winner may choose either the end of court or the serve, but not both. The server, standing on the right-hand side of her base line, with feet behind the line, sends the ball into her opponent’s right-hand court. The player receiving ball after it has bounced must return it over the net so that it touches inside the court; then the server returns, etc., until there is a failure to return the ball. This counts a point for opposing player of the one who makes the fault. Then the ball is again served, this time from the left-hand side, next from the right, continuing to alternate until the game is finished. A game is always begun by serving from the right-hand court.

The game is won when a player has scored four points, except in the case of deuce, when more are necessary. The first point is “15;” the second, “30;” the third, “40;” the fourth, “game.” If both players have “15,” it is “15-all;” if one, “15-love (or naught).” The server’s score is always called first. If both have 30, 30-all; if one has 30, the other none or 15, it is 30-love, or 30-15. If both have 40, it is “deuce.” In deuce it is necessary to play extra points. The first point won is “advantage in” (server) or “out” (striker), as may be the case; the next point if won by the same player is game, but if won by the other player it is deuce again, and so on until one player wins two points in succession.

The server, after the first game, becomes the receiver, and the serve is alternated with each game until the end of the set. A set consists of six games won by one player, unless the opposing player is less than two games behind, that is, a set cannot end at 6/5, but must be played until one or the other obtains a two-game lead. Ends of the court are exchanged after each set. The server should always keep the score.

It is the aim of the players to return as many good balls as possible. A ball is “good” when it is sent within the court. It is a “fault” when it hits outside the boundary lines, or does not clear the net—a ball, however, which touches net but still falls on the right side (a “let ball”) is “good.” Faults count one point for opponent or opponents. Other faults that count for opponent are: Server serves two faults in succession; volleying the ball before it has touched the net; volleying a served ball before it bounds (any other ball may be volleyed); failure to return a ball. It is a fault to touch net while ball is in play, or to touch the ball with any part of person except the racket, or to touch ball with racket twice.

The receiver may hit the ball in the air (except serve) or after the first bounce, but may never hit after the second bounce.

A player in tennis must never be caught napping. Tennis calls for wide awake, quick playing. It is best to stand either near the net or back farther toward the service line. For most girls I would recommend the base line game. Never stand where your opponent can drop a ball directly at your feet; always be ready for her. You must always watch where she is and try to place the ball in the spot most difficult for her to reach.

In order to be ready the racket should be held firmly and easily so that it may be prepared for any stroke. Above all, keep your eye on the ball; if you look at the place you want to hit the ball and not at the ball, you do not hit it squarely and you give your play away. When you receive, do not stand too far away or too near. If you are too far away, you are apt to tip it; if too near, you bend your arm and do not get a good stroke.

The game of tennis is divided into two main divisions, serving and receiving. First, let us take up serving. This is the method of putting the ball in play. The server must stand behind the base line of the court. She must serve her ball into the diagonally opposite service court. She is allowed two balls; if the first is a fault she is allowed to serve the second. To be a good ball it must touch the ground in the service court, fairly clearing the net. A double fault on the part of the server counts a point for the opposing side, that is, it is a fault to serve two balls which do not clear the net, or do not touch inside the service court. When the ball touches the net but goes into the proper service court, it is called a “let ball” and does not count, but is served over again. Failure to return the ball after it is served counts one point for the server. The server must not step across the base line while serving, nor must she step, hop, walk or run.

In serving it is important to study the grip of the racket, the method of hitting the ball, and the way to toss the ball into the air. The racket is held tightly in the hand by what is known as the long grip, hand at the end of the racket—usually the right hand. There are many different swings and twists used. It is best to adopt one that brings into play the full strength of the arm and shoulder, thus an overhead swing of the racket is most often used. The ball is tossed into the air and the racket, in its exact center, should hit the ball directly over the net into the opposite service court. Before a cut or a speedier serve is developed, the player should make sure of a steady ball that as a rule is good. After that is acquired, practice the cuts and put as much speed as possible into the serve. It is very important that the ball and the racket should meet at the psychological moment. If the ball is hit too low, it does not clear the net; if it is hit while too high in the air, it goes out of the service court. The follow through of the stroke should be natural and never chopped.

In receiving and returning the ball there are many different strokes to use. It is advisable for the beginner to perfect both forehand and backhand strokes. For these strokes, the racket should be held in the short grip, that is, the end of the racket is at the wrist, hand reaching up the handle; the forearm should be in a line with the racket.

One stroke, the drop stroke, the arm is back of the body, extended to full length; then move—rather sweep—forward to meet the ball as it is about waist high, giving a little upward turn to your racket. Always follow through. The arm should be straight in this stroke.

Besides a forehand stroke, a backhand stroke is also necessary to learn. In the forehand, the weight is on the right foot, but in the backhand it is on the left foot. There are many different kinds, but the most natural is the best for the beginner to use. The arm and racket, of course, are across the body. Swing back and meet the ball squarely, with body turned greatly to that side. Be careful to follow through.

A great many people spoil their game of tennis by wild playing and smashes. It is much better to be deliberate and calculating, carefully placing your shots out of reach of your opponent. Try to make every play count. In other words, use your head rather than brute strength.

A good racket—carefully chosen for weight and balance and to which you have become accustomed—practice, a deliberate study of the game and your playing—these will help the average player.

The most suitable dress for tennis is a light weight waist or a middy blouse; a short, wide skirt, and rubber or felt-soled flat-heeled shoes.

Tennis Matches or Tournaments.

For a tennis match there should be an official referee, who determines questions concerning the rules; an umpire, who judges all balls except those on the lines, which are judged by the linesmen; a linesman for each of the seven lines, whose duty it is to judge the ball near her line. There may be a scorer, but this duty is generally assumed by the umpire, who announces each point, the score of each game, and how the sets stand.

Each player should enter her name in advance; then each draws for opponent, the winner of one match meeting the winner of another, etc., until the final match is played. This is an elimination tournament. In doubles, the pair may be entered or the partner may be drawn for.

A favorite form of tournament where the number of entrants is small is the round robin tournament, where each contestant meets every other, irrespective of victories. The championship with its trophy is given to the girl winning the greatest number of matches.

Tournament play is greatly to be recommended, especially for schools or clubs. Match play adds considerably to the pleasure of the sport and usually has beneficial results, both physical and physiological. I have seen diffident girls taught to gain self control and composure at all times by competitive athletics. A tennis tournament can be made a gala social event as well as one of keen and interesting sport.