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THE ART OF LAWN TENNIS
men are wonderful singles players； playing singles on a double court
alongside some suffering partner。 The daring that makes for a great singles
player is an eternal appeal to a gallery。 None of the notable doubles
players； who have little or no claim to singles fame； have enjoyed the
hero…worship accorded the famous singles stars。 H。 Roper…Barrett； Stanley
Doust； Harold H。 Hackett； Samuel Hardy； and Holcombe Ward； all
doubles players of the very highest order； were； and are； well liked and
deservedly popular； but are not idolized as were M'Loughlin or Wilding。
Singles is a game of the imagination； doubles a science of exact
angles。
Doubles is four…handed tennis。 Enough of this primary reader
definition。 I only used that so as not to be accused of trying to write over
the heads of the uninitiated。
It is just as vital to play to your partner in tennis as in bridge。 Every
time you make a stroke you must do it with a definite plan to avoid putting
your partner in trouble。 The keynote of doubles success is team work； not
individual brilliancy。 There is a certain type of team work dependent
wholly upon individual brilliancy。 Where both players are in the same
class； a team is as strong as its weakest player at any given time； for here it
is even team work with an equal division of the court that should be the
method of play。 In the case of one strong player and one weaker player； the
team is as good as the strong player can make it by protecting and
defending the weaker。 This pair should develop its team work on the
individual brilliancy of the stronger man。
The first essential of doubles play is to PUT the ball in play。 A double
fault is bad in singles； but it is inexcusable in doubles。 The return of
service should be certain。 After that it should be low and to the server
coming in。 Do not strive for clean aces in doubles until you have the
opening。 Remember that to pass two men is a difficult task。
Always attack in doubles。 The net is the only place in the court to play
the doubles game； and you should always strive to attain the net position。
There are two formations for the receiving team： one is the Australian
formation with the receiver's partner standing in to volley the server's
return volley； the other is the English and American style with both men
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THE ART OF LAWN TENNIS
back； thus giving the net attack to the server。 This is safer； but less likely to
produce a winning result unless the team is a wonderful lobbing
combination。 Lobbing is a sound defence in doubles； and is used to open
the court。
I believe in always trying for the kill when you see a real opening。
〃Poach〃 （go for a shot which is not really on your side of the court）
whenever you see a chance to score。 Never poach unless you go for the
kill。 It is a win or nothing shot since it opens your whole court。 If you are
missing badly do not poach； as it is very disconcerting to your partner。
The question of covering a doubles court should not be a serious one。
With all men striving to attain the net all the time every shot should be
built up with that idea。 Volley and smash whenever possible； and only
retreat when absolutely necessary。
When the ball goes toward the side…line the net player on that side
goes in close and toward the line。 His partner falls slightly back and to the
centre of the court； thus covering the shot between the men。 If the next
return goes to the other side； the two men reverse positions。 The theory of
court covering is two sides of a triangle； with the angle in the centre and
the two sides running to the side…lines and in the direction of the net。
Each man should cover overhead balls over his own head； and hit them
in the air whenever possible； since to allow them to drop gives the net to
the other team。 The only time for the partner to protect the overhead is
when the net man 〃poaches；〃 is outguessed； and the ball tossed over his
head。 Then the server covers and strives for a kill at once。
Always be ready to protect your partner； but do not take shots over his
head unless he calls for you to； or you see a certain kill。 Then say 〃Mine；〃
step in and hit decisively。 The matter of overhead balls； crossing under
them； and such incidentals of team work are matters of personal opinion；
and should be arranged by each team according to their joint views。 I only
offer general rules that can be modified to meet the wishes of the
individuals。
Use the lob as a defence； and to give time to extricate yourself and
your partner from a bad position。 The value of service in doubles cannot
be too strongly emphasized since it gives the net to the server。 Service
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THE ART OF LAWN TENNIS
should always be held。 To lose service is an unpardonable sin in first…class
doubles。 All shots in doubles should be low or very high。 Do not hit
shoulder…high as it is too easy to kill。 Volley down and hard if possible。
Every shot you make should be made with a definite idea of opening the
court。
Hit down the centre to disrupt the team work of the opposing team； but
hit to the side…lines for your aces。
Pick one man； preferably the weaker of your opponents； and centre
your attack on him and keep it there。 Pound him unmercifully； and in time
he should crack under the attack。 It is very foolish to alternate attack； since
it simply puts both men on their game and tires neither。
If your partner starts badly play safely and surely until he rounds to
form。 Never show annoyance with your partner。 Do not scold him。 He is
doing the best he can； and fighting with him does no good。 Encourage him
at all times and don't worry。 A team that is fighting among themselves has
little time left to play tennis； and after all tennis is the main object of
doubles。
Offer suggestions to your partner a