Why
change a known successful quantity for an unknown? It seldom
pays.
The style of play is now approaching a type which I believe will
prove to have a long life. To-day we are beginning to combine the
various styles in one man. The champion of the future will
necessarily need more equipment than the champion of to-day. The
present shows us the forehand driving of Johnston, the service of
Murray, the volleying of Richards, the chop of Wallace F.
Johnson, the smash of Patterson, the half volley of Williams, and
the back hand of Pell. The future will find the greatest players
combining much of these games. It can be done if the player will
study. I believe that every leading player in the world in 1950
will have a drive and a chop, fore- and backhand from the
baseline. He will use at least two styles of service, since one
will not suffice against the stroke of that period. He will be a
volleyer who can safely advance to the net, yet his attack will
be based on a ground game. He must smash well. In short, I
believe that the key to future tennis success lies in variety of
stroke. The day of the one-stroke player is passing. Each year
sees the versatile game striding forward by leaps and bounds.
The future champion of the world must be a man of keen intellect,
since psychology is assuming the importance that is its due. He
must train earnestly, carefully, and consistently. The day of
playing successful tennis and staying up till daybreak is over.
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