A Practical Guide to Match Play for the Club Player
Volumes
have been written about the psychological approach to tennis. Pre-match
training, diet, calisthenics; the physical and emotional preparation required
to condition top players and sustain them through the pressures of competitive
tennis.
Overlooked in most tennis texts are the practical aids which can shift the balance in tight matches and ensure victory for club players.
Recent research and study of the 'average' games are detailed below, and should prove invaluable to players of club standard:
Having warmed up for at least half an hour,
- Always arrive at the club late. Not to the extent that you are disqualified,
but be sufficiently tardy as to raise your already tense opponent's
hopes of being awarded a walkover. Rush onto the court half dressed
and, if possible, smoking.
- Continue to smoke during the hit up, and, if you have more than one
racquet change continually during both the hit up and the match. Tap
the strings and comment loudly about tension and humidity, which should
increase your opponent's. During the pre-game knock, hit all balls out
or into the net.
- Inspect your opponent's racquet either before the match commences or at change over breaks. If any string appears worn - tell him. Offer the use of your spare 'when the string goes'. Given the opportunity to test your opponent's string tension tell him they are either sloppy or too taut